The Metaphysics

by Aristotle and Aristotele

Book Overview

Aristotle's probing inquiry into some of the fundamental problems of philosophy, The Metaphysics is one of the classical Greek foundation-stones of western thought

The Metaphysics presents Aristotle's mature rejection of both the Platonic theory that what we perceive is just a pale reflection of reality and the hard-headed view that all processes are ultimately material. He argued instead that the reality or substance of things lies in their concrete forms, and in so doing he probed some of the deepest questions of philosophy: What is existence? How is change possible? And are there certain things that must exist for anything else to exist at all? The seminal notions discussed in The Metaphysics - of 'substance' and associated concepts of matter and form, essence and accident, potentiality and actuality - have had a profound and enduring influence, and laid the foundations for one of the central branches of Western philosophy.

In this edition Hugh Lawson-Tancred's lucid translation is accompanied by a stimulating introduction in which he highlights the central themes of one of philosophy's supreme masterpieces.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140446192
• ISBN13: 9780140446197
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Damaged.

Bought the book in “new” condition. But it arrived with a damaged binding due to the type of packaging it was wrapped in.

Metaphysics, Aristotle

Aristotle in any form is a tough read. However, this edition proves to be quite user friendly with the language and does not have commentaries that would interfere or try to influence context with individual interpretations of such. Great for school...highly recommend.

'Beyond' or 'After the Physics'

This is one of the foundation works of Western Philosophy. It deals with what lies beyond natural philosophy( physics) and what we might call ' ultimate reality'. The work is in thirteen books , probably lecture notes collected by Aristotle's student, a fact which explains the choppiness and technical quality of the style. The great predecessor Plato whose Theory of Ideas Aristotle puts through the wringer is a master of literary style, while Aristotle is more the prosaic and dry of the two great figures of Greek Philosophy. The heart of this work is the discussion of 'Ontology' .The more empircal Aristotle focuses on distinctions between ' actuality' and 'potentiality' on on the progression from what is implicity real to what is realized as Real. One of the most important sections has to do with the dichotomy between ' substance' and ' essence' and the presentation of four different kinds of causes i.e. material, efficient, formal, final. Years ago I had trouble straightening this out in my head, and feel I have never really mastered it. This is one of the great books which it is not easy, and not particularly fun to read. I might also add that while it is ridiculous to blame Aristotle for this, the 'master of all who know' presented a ' science' of reality whose methods impeded the development of true science for centuries. Aristotle by this work made the studying of 'Metaphysics' the 'highest ' of all forms of philosophical and intellectual endeavor. It seems to me this work is thus of great historical importance for any student of philosophy, or of the history of ideas. However whether in all its quest for reality it gives us any true sense of reality, is another question.

An essential part of any study of philosophy,

Aristotle's Metaphysics cannot be underestimated as a fundamental in Western thought. While sometimes a plodding read (compared to Plato's Dialogues), the substance of Aristotle's work is far more rewarding to the serious reader. This book is an required component of any collection on philosophy.