Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

The "Nicomachean Ethics", along with its sequel the Politics, is Aristotle's most widely read and influential work. Ideas central to ethics – that happiness is the end of human endeavor, that moral virtue is formed through action and habituation, and that good action requires prudence – found their most powerful proponent in the person medieval scholars simply called "the Philosopher". Drawing on their intimate knowledge of Aristotle's thought, Robert C. Bartlett and Susan D. Collins have produced here an English-language translation of the Ethics that is as remarkably faithful to the original as it is graceful in its rendering.

Aristotle is well known for the precision with which he chooses his words, and in this elegant translation his work has found its ideal match. Bartlett and Collins provide copious notes and a glossary providing context and further explanation for students, as well as an introduction and a substantial interpretive essay that sketch central arguments of the work and the seminal place of Aristotle's Ethics in his political philosophy as a whole.

The "Nicomachean Ethics" has engaged the serious interest of readers across centuries and civilizations – of peoples ancient, medieval, and modern; pagan, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish – and this new edition will take its place as the standard English language translation.

Reviews

"This is the only English translation of the 'Ethics' for those who want or need to know precisely, not just roughly, what Aristotle says. Readers now can behold the splendor of his conception of moral virtue and engage with its subtleties as well. The translation is accompanied by excellent notes, an interpretive essay, indices, and a highly useful glossary" – Harvey C. Mansfield, Harvard University

"There are several good editions of the 'Nicomachean Ethics' currently available, but the Bartlett and Collins version is superior in several decisive respects – philological, philosophical, and pedagogical. The translation itself is consistently faithful to the text without lapsing into obscurity or awkwardness, with lots of helpful discussion (in just the right number of notes conveniently placed at the bottom of the page) of alternative possibilities at key points. Best of all, the thoughtful and well-crafted surrounding material – notes, glossary, introduction, and interpretive essay – supplies a marvelous guide to Aristotle's unique way of presenting the central questions of ethics and politics. This is the version I will use when next I teach the Nicomachean Ethics" – Stephen G. Salkever, Bryn Mawr College

"This translation will easily be the best available English version of the 'Nicomachean Ethics'" – Michael Davis, Sarah Lawrence College

"Bartlett and Collins's translation of the 'Nicomachean Ethics' is the best in English that I have read. It nicely couples a consistent faithfulness to Aristotle's Greek with a high degree of readability. This will be a real service to scholars and students" – Gerald M. Mara, Georgetown University

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