Aristotle (c.384-322 B.C.E.) was one of the greatest minds of the Classical – or any – age. His ideas have influenced West and East for over two thousand years. It is only fairly recently that his influence has faded in disciplines he practically invented: deductive logic, biology, physics, scientific method – the list could be extended. However, although efforts will be rewarded, the study of Aristotle is not for the faint of heart. Great patience, mental agility, and humility are required. For every sage that has sung Aristotle’s praises, I’m sure a dozen students would hurl insults and heap scorn, and if said sage felt the backlash, then all the better. Even so there is no doubt that any study of philosophy is incomplete without Aristotle.

The prospective will certainly benefit from an introduction to Aristotle – and there are many of excellent quality. What follows is a light introduction that focuses on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. I think Aristotle still has a great deal to offer in this regard.

Beginning Aristotle