Aristotle's Economic Thought [Paperback]

Scott Meikle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198152256 | ISBN-13: 978-0198152255 | Publication Date: May 29, 1997

Since the middle ages, Aristotle has been hailed as the father of economics by economists, while classical scholars hold that he did no economics at all, only ethics. This book argues that Aristotle does develop a coherent theory of value, wealth, exchange, and money, which is strongly supported by his metaphysics. But its very metaphysical foundation make the theory impossible to assimilate to Neo-Classical economics or any other kind of economic thinking, and it therefore remains an ethical theory. On Aristotelian metaphysical principles, ethics and economics are competitors over the same ground--as rival sources of reasons for decision-making in tihe public realm, and they cannot be reconciled.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a delightful book..."--The Review of Metaphysics

About the Author

Scott Meikle is at University of Glasgow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198152256
• ISBN-13: 978-0198152255
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the subject, March 4, 2001

By 

Nicos Theocarakis (Athens Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aristotle's Economic Thought (Paperback)

There are very few thinkers, if any, whose work has been discussed by others as much as Artistotle. His influence on western thought on almost any subject has been immense. Dryden's lament that humanity have made the Stagirite's "torch their universal light" gives a measure of his influence. So the claim that Scott Meikle's book is the best on the subject is very strong indeed. But I think it is wholly justified. For Meikle discusses only the great philosopher's economic thought. And he is a master of his subject. His knowledge of the texts is profound matched only by his mastery of the literature, ancient and modern, his comments relevant, his prose beautiful and his arguments convincing. Even though he is not an economist he displays a surpisingly deep understanding of economic theory and history of economic thought.

His book is a collection of essays with enough structure to be read as a complete book. He examines A.'s analysis in Nicomachean Ethics and Politics and discusses modern interpretations of his thought. He argues for the existence of an economic thought in Aristotle, against the arguments of authorities such as Schumpeter (with his almost patronising view) or Finley who wrote the (new) Palgrave entry on Aristotle. He also argues convincingly against a neoclassical interpretation of Aristotle, a view that has crept in even in authoritative translations of the Nicomachean Ethics text.

If you want to understand the great philosoopher's economic thought, Meikle's book is the place to start....

2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars jigga man, November 13, 2000

By 

gman (tampa,fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aristotle's Economic Thought (Paperback)

this was an intriging book that lead to my revival. Without this both of my views towards economic behaviors and theories would not be able to exist and penetrate throught the ills of an intangible society. Both philosophy and economics deal with the soul individual and aristotle a genius of all time deals with many profound issues that the individual must command to gather success and demand virtue.