book data
496 ratings, 3.70 average rating, 27 reviews
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published
July 9th 1998
(first published 2005)
by Oxford University Press, USA
binding
Paperback, 480 pages
isbn
0192833936
(isbn13: 9780192833938)
description
The Politics is one of the most influential texts in the history of political thought, and it raises issues which still confront anyone who wants to t...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 730)
Read in January, 2008
I loved reading this with the question of what is the ideal society and how do you obtain happiness? It was interesting to see Aristotles answers to these questions. I also enjoyed seeing how he argues his idea that happiness is the absence of pain and that money is in charge of getting rid of pain. Even though I do not agree with it that idea has effected the way that many think of happiness
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The book keeps on giving. Someone asked me the other day (a dean of a certain law school, which shall be unnamed) in semi-jest what Aristotle's politics is, that is, is Aristotle a Democrat or Republican? Who would Aristotle vote for in '08? This is a work of political philosophy, not polemic, so would Aristotle even care? Aristotle does say that the political expert or legislator can benefit from the results of political philosophy's inquiry into the things of the city, and a major part of t...more
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Read in August, 2008
Aristotle's Politics is an excellent book to read anytime, but its especially appropriate with the upcoming elections. He points out several obivous things that were not quite so obvious to me until I was reminded of them, like the possibility that you are in some part a reflection of the regime under which you live, that man is a political animal, and that speech, choice, and persuasion are in a unique relationship to one another. One of the best aspects of the book is the description of the ...more
Read in September, 2008
This is a pretty good read. He has some very interesting ideas on politics and what legislators should consider - very involved in personal lives (e.g., religious worship, marriage and child rearing). Some of the things he says are extremely offensive by today's standards and some things are downright hilarious (like saying legislators should take precautions against large discrepancies in age and then states the ideal ages for marrying are 18 for a female and 37 for a male). I did like this ...more
It's really amazing how much people haven't changed in 6000 years of civilization.
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Read in April, 2008
I'm definitely more of a Platonist than an Aristotillian. Aristotle isn't as good of a writer either. He says some very profound things but in context they often become very muddled and confusing. I like reading what he says, but I detect a lot of snobbery and almost elitism in Aristotle whereas Plato is more of a philosopher that doesn't necessarily buy into the whole honour of being a philosopher.
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Read in December, 2004
Excellent / This is based on real evidence from around Aristotle during his life. It makes for more rational conclusions. Some of the talk of the governments of the time require prerequisite knowledge of the time/geography, which I sadly lack. It is a collection of writing, so the direction is sometimes poor. Not as ordered as Plato, but the conclusions are much more sound.
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Read in August, 2008
his naturalism makes me want to read Sade. Classics are usually classics for a reason. It is amazing to see how much of the Catholic cannon is influenced by this one man and his many interpreters. But I do find his uncritical look at what is natural a little repulsive. I do not see how one can say that what is natural is therefore good.
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One of the most important works of political philosophy, and among the most unfairly maligned in the popular imagination. Most of what you think you know about this book is wrong...and most of what you think you got out of it the first time you read it is wrong too. Bears reading and re-reading.
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Read in November, 2006
It helps to see the foundation of modern day republicans and democrats or maybe even fascists and communists. Aristotle was a bit conservative and I suppose Plato was a bit liberal - lot's of fun details about ancient customs and outlooks - nice if you like history and politics.
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Read as part of a summer institute on political and constitutional theory. My first reading with Aristotle. He poses some interesting questions, and observations, but doesn't point anywhere concrete. I will have to go back and read some more, later, much later.
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Read in January, 2007
The classic political text, especially the human as the political animal argument. Very bold (and brilliant . . .besides the attempt to justify human slavery). It is fascinating to study this text as a basis for the Declaration of Independence.
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I think individuals that quote Aristotle should delve into his books to really understand just how out there he really was. Seeing the whole package sort of diminished some of his "insights" on humanity for me. Just my opinion.
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Excellent for insight into ancient Greek political science. Very interesting to see correlations to the modern political scene. Also, as comparison and contrast to the politics of Jesus.
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Read in February, 1986
I (1252a1-1260b25) III 1-5(1274b30-1278b5), III 6-12(1278b6-1288b6) IV 1(1288b10-1289a25) V 1-2(1301a19-1302b4) VII 1-7,13 (1323a14-1328a21, and 1331b23-1332b10)
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Okay, i admit I only read the chapters one and five, but those two are part of the reason for my interest in politics.
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This may not have been the translation I read. It was good, but IIRC it probably does not compare to Plato's.
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Read in January, 2007
Great stuff, brilliant ideas. But Aristotle seriously... you're damn hard to follow.
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Gosh... The first book of politics I wanted to wolf down at the university!
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Read in February, 2007
I learned how to live the "good life," and how to build a new greek polis.
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