Aristotle the Philosopher by J.L. Ackrill

It is not in itself a fault to use modern notions in discussing arguments in ancient philosophers, and to argue with them as if they were contemporaries. In this case we are entitled to engage him in argument as if he were a contemporary. However, we may desire not only to gain some understanding of Aristotle, but also to understand better some of the philosophical problems he confronts. To achieve such an understanding is certainly a worthwhile aim, calling for both imagination and intellectual power. Now if our aim is only to understand Aristotle, this 'engagement' will have to be carefully limited we must enter into his thoughts but not go beyond them, we must try to relive his intellectual journey, taking care not to carry with us any twentieth-century baggage or equipment.

Even as we enjoy the refinement, conciseness and suggestiveness of Aristotle's arguments - we should know that we would enjoy them even more, the more we engage ourselves in them.Īckrill’s next point was what I found very personal and invigorating: Aristotle's key ideas have provoked and stimulated philosophers over many centuries, precisely because they are not cut and dried doctrines, but can be applied and interpreted and developed in various ways, still relevant to problems that confront us.Īckrill shows us how enjoyable and rewarding it is to engage in philosophical arguments with Aristotle. For having to learn a doctrine is a boring task, and specially depressing when you know that it is false but interesting arguments give pleasure and profit whether or not they really establish the alleged conclusions. To Ackrill, what really characterizes Aristotle as a philosopher is not the number and weight of his conclusions / ‘doctrines’, but the power and subtlety of his arguments and ideas and analyses. Ackrill’s aim in this book is not just to impart information, but to arouse interest in the philosophical problems Aristotle tackles, and in his arguments and ideas.

This book is a highly selective and impressionistic view of/guide-book to Aristotle's philosophy.

Aristotle the Philosopher by J.L. Ackrill