Aristotle on Practical Wisdom: <i>Nicomachean Ethics</i>VINicomachean Ethics VI is considered one of classical philosophy’s greatest achievements. Aristotle on Practical Wisdom is the first full-scale commentary on this work to be issued in over a century, and is the most comprehensive and philosophically illuminating to date. A meticulous translation coupled with facing-page analysis enables readers to engage directly with the account of phronêsis or practical wisdom that Aristotle is developing, while a full introduction locates that account in the context of his ethical thought and of later ethical thought more generally. The commentary discusses the text line by line, illuminating obscure passages, explaining technical ones, and providing a new overall interpretation of the work and the nature of practical reason. A companion volume, Action, Contemplation, and Happiness, expands on this interpretation to provide a startling new picture of Aristotle’s thought as a whole. Although the two books can be approached separately, together they constitute one of the most daring and original contemporary readings of Aristotle’s philosophy. Aimed at committed students of these notoriously difficult writings, C. D. C. Reeve’s engaging and lucid books should find a wide audience among philosophers, classicists, and all readers willing to wrestle with a thinker of unparalleled subtlety, depth, and scope. |
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able accord action activity actualized admit agent animals appear apply architectonic Aristotle belief better calculative called capacity cause choose clear cleverness comes complete comprehension concerned constitute contrast correct reason craft deals definition deliberate choice deliberative demonstrations desire determining discerning distinction doable in action essence Ethics example exist experience explanation fact feelings follows function further give grasp happiness Hence hold human involving kind less living matter mean meat natural objects otherwise particular perception person pleasure points political science possess possible practical wisdom practically wise premise productive Puzzle reach reference regard relation relevant result rigorous sake scientific knowledge seems sense someone sort soul starting syllogism term theoretical wisdom things thought tion true truth unconditional unconditionally understanding universal virtue of character virtuous whereas whole wish