Customer Reviews

Categories and De Interpretatione (Clarendon Aristotle)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Categories and the De Interpretatione are very interesting and important works of Aristotle. Anyone who wants to understand any part of Aristotle's philosophy will surely have to acquaint himself with these works.

J.L. Ackrill's translations are in my oppinion the best available English translations of Aristotle's Categories and De Interpretatione. Although E.M. Edghills translations (in Richard McKeon's Basic Works of Aristotle) are also highly readable, Ackrill's translations are more accurate.

The commentary is quite good, and as usual, Ackrill writes very clearly. Although space does not permit him to exhaust every topic, his notes are very helpful, and all in all the commentary is far superior to other commentaries on the Categories or the De Interpretatione known to me (e.g. H.G. Apostle's Aristotle's Categories and Propositions). There is also a glossary and index of subjects which are helpful.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in (a) the Categories or the De Interpretatione, (b) Aristotle, (c) ancient philosophy, or (d) philosophy.

I and my fellow philosophers have found the Clarendon Series to be quite helpful all around, especially in the case of the Categories. Instead of being adjusted to fit English idiomatic expression, Clarendon translations are quite literal (to the apparent chagrin of some). With this translation of Aristotle's Categories, one can develop an excellent picture of what Aristotle really said (without reading the Greek itself); and with the supplementary help of the extensive and thorough commentary, one can also develop a sense of where Aristotle was going (i.e. what issues he faced at the time, which concepts later philosophers borrowed and either used or abused, and plenty more). Overall, very helpful and highly recommended.

I got this copy used and it was just like new. My Ancient Greek/Language class studied The Categories and not only did this translation follow the Greek more closely than the others being used, but it was also clearer than the others. If you're going to study/read The Categories, just save yourself a lot of grief and go with this translation.

The literal translation is precise but difficult. Excellent critical apparatus. Not the first translation to consult, but one that will help a motivated student understand Aristotle's early attempt to build a foundation of language for logic argumentation.

I and my fellow philosophers have found the Clarendon Series to be quite helpful all around, especially in the case of the Categories. Instead of being adjusted to fit English idiomatic expression, Clarendon translations are quite literal (to the apparent chagrin of some). With this translation of Aristotle's Categories, one can develop an excellent picture of what Aristotle really said (without reading the Greek itself); and with the supplementary help of the extensive and thorough commentary, one can also develop a sense of where Aristotle was going (i.e. what issues he faced at the time, which concepts later philosophers borrowed and either used or abused, and plenty more). Overall, very helpful and highly recommended.

Very good book in Good condition except for a bent binding Otherwise all is well

Not only is the translation second rate (Loeb or McKeon is definitely the way to go), but the commentary is awful. It does go over many of the questions but his conclusions and ideas are quite false, and easily reconizable to anyone who has given any thought to the subject. If you are interested in getting to know Aristotle, then the way to go is with Jonathan Lear's "Aristotle: The Desire to Understand".