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Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction

Jonathan Barnes

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Sep 11, 2012 Feliks rated it it was amazing

Shelves: philosophy-general

Trust anything in the superb VSI (Very Short Introduction) series by OUP (Oxford University Press). It's a brilliant concept: short, succinct little overviews of the great thinkers and most important topics from our shared intellectual heritage.

This particular work may well become your favourite. I know a lot of people 'fear' philosophy, stand-in-trepidation of names like 'Aristotle' and 'Plato'--some folks even outright 'resent' the reputation these men have.

Well. The answer to all this mistru Trust anything in the superb VSI (Very Short Introduction) series by OUP (Oxford University Press). It's a brilliant concept: short, succinct little overviews of the great thinkers and most important topics from our shared intellectual heritage.

This particular work may well become your favourite. I know a lot of people 'fear' philosophy, stand-in-trepidation of names like 'Aristotle' and 'Plato'--some folks even outright 'resent' the reputation these men have.

Well. The answer to all this mistrust is to start exploring them with mini-introductions such as can be found in this Oxford series. These titles are all written in a very accessible manner; very easygoing and using contemporary language. It's a great way to find out for yourself; what Aristotle (for example) is all about. Afterwards, you can decide for yourself whether it is of any value to you.

Aristotle is really *not* intimidating when you cozy up to him. He's like one of those guys we all know: the family-member or friend who is obsessed with how you fold a road-map or how you arrange your bookshelves. He is simply manic for organization and clarity and precision and lucidity.

He doesn't hand down any tremendous thoughts about the universe; he doesn't claim to hold any secrets. What he does instead is so much more important: he teaches you how to think for yourself --clearly and methodically. How to think with *purpose* and get *results*.

Its fantastic. Especially today when the minds of most people wandering around us--well, just look at them! Their brains are swimming in muck, mush, and mire. You can tell just by looking at their faces. Babbling, drooling, imbeciles. Don't remain among them.

Reading Aristotle (even in a tiny commentary like this VSI edition) is like getting a tune-up for an old car ...or going around your house with a can of WD-40 in hand and oiling all the hinges so they don't grate or stick.

After sampling this little primer, you may be surprised to find yourself in genuine admiration of the man; he may even become your #1 philosopher. Give it a try. ...more

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Jun 14, 2016 Daphne de Roo rated it really liked it

Shelves: philosophy

Jan 04, 2019 Ivan Dogan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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Apr 29, 2019 Crazyarms777 marked it as to-read

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