Introduction to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

This book provides a balanced and accessible introduction to Aristotle'sNicomachean Ethics. It carefully and comprehensivelyfollows the thread of Aristotle's argumentand sheds light on topics that all too often receive littleattention or are entirely ignored in the existing textbooks (such as self-control, legislative science and the legislator, the life of themoney-maker, craft-knowledge, comprehension, and beastliness). Its objective is not only to offer an academically reliable presentation of Aristotle's Ethics butto also defend Aristotle's main tenets-or, at least, to present them in their most defensibleform. It places the Nicomachean Ethics within the study of ethics generally; students are invited to understand Aristotle's claims in the light of, or in contrast to, other ethical theories or their own intuitions about ethical matters. It follows the reader of the Nicomachean Ethicsin action, registering questions, expectations and progress within an insightful exegesis of Aristotle's philosophical argument. Itis replete with pedagogical tools including examples from our concrete everyday experience, paintings, films, and literature,end of chapter summaries, internet resources, suggestions for further reading, study questions, and essay questions.