Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

Extended Synopsis

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics stands as one of Western civilization's most widely read and foundational works of moral philosophy. Central to the text are ideas that have shaped centuries of ethical inquiry: that happiness ($eudaimonia$) is the ultimate end of all human endeavor, that moral virtue is forged strictly through action and habituation, and that right action requires the application of practical wisdom, or prudence. Medieval scholars revered its author simply as “the Philosopher,” establishing this treatise as a core pillar of classical thought.

In this acclaimed edition, Robert C. Bartlett and Susan D. Collins leverage their profound familiarity with Aristotelian philosophy to deliver an English translation that mirrors the exactness of the original Greek text while remaining exceptionally fluid and graceful. Recognizing that Aristotle was incredibly precise with his terminology, the translators ensure that his conceptual rigor is fully preserved for modern readers.

To assist students and scholars alike, this comprehensive volume features extensive textual notes, an analytical glossary, an introductory overview, and a substantial interpretive essay. These companion elements outline the central vectors of Aristotle's arguments and illuminate the critical position the Ethics occupies within his broader political philosophy. Transcending epochs, cultures, and religious traditions, this translation serves as an indispensable reference standard for the study of ancient philosophy.

Reader Targeting

• Undergraduate and graduate students of classical philosophy, ethics, and political science requiring a translation that adheres strictly to the original literal phrasing.
• Academic researchers seeking a rigorous framework complete with specialized virtue/vice summary charts, analytical diagrams, and comprehensive scholarly commentary.
• General readers interested in foundational texts concerning human nature, character development, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

Accolades & Significance

• Widely recognized by academic institutions as a benchmark English-language edition for its precision and philological fidelity.
• Praised for bridging the gap between dense philosophical structures and readable text without sacrificing structural nuance.

Author & Translator Biography

Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath whose student years under Plato and subsequent tutoring of Alexander the Great marked the golden age of classical thought. His writings span physics, biology, metaphysics, logic, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music, rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics, and ethics, fundamentally constructing the framework for Western intellectual history.

Robert C. Bartlett is the Behrakis Professor of Hellenic Political Economy at Boston College, and Susan D. Collins is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. Together, they are highly regarded scholars of classical political philosophy, specializing in the translation and contextualization of ancient texts for contemporary academic audiences.

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