The Oxford Translation of Aristotle was originally published in 12 volumes between 1912 and 1954. It is universally recognized as the standard English version of Aristotle. This revised edition contains the substance of the original Translation, slightly emended in light of recent scholarship; three of the original versions have been replaced by new translations; and a new and enlarged selection of Fragments has been added. The aim of the translation remains the same: to make the surviving works of Aristotle readily accessible to English speaking readers.
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This new edition makes a landmark of scholarship available in a very usable form. (Library Journal )
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126 of 133 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First things first: there are two volumes here, make sure you buy them both.
The table of contents for both volumes is shown below:
VOLUME 1 CONTAINS:
Preface (Jonathan Barnes), Acknowledgments (Jonathan Barnes), Note to the Reader (Jonathan Barnes), Categories, De Interpretatione, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics, Topics, Sophistical Refutations, Physics, On the Heavens, On Generation and Corruption, Meteorology, On the Universe**, On the Soul, Sense and Sensibilia, On Memory, On Sleep, On Dreams, On Divination in Sleep, On Length and Shortness of Life, On Youth, Old Age, Life and Death, and Respiration, On Breath**, History of Animals, Parts of Animals, Movement of Animals, Progression of Animals, Generation of Animals, On Colours**, On Things Heard**, Physiognomonics**
VOLUME 2 CONTAINS:
Acknowledgments (Jonathan Barnes), Note to the Reader (Jonathan Barnes), On Plants**, On Marvellous Things Heard**, Mechanics**, Problems*, On Indivisible Lines**, The Situations and the Names of Winds**, On Melissus, Xenophanes, and Gorgias**, Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics, Magna Moralia*, Eudemian Ethics, On Virtues and Vices**, Politics, Economics*, Rhetoric, Rhetoric to Alexander**, Poetics, Constitution of Athens, Fragments, Index of Names, General Index
* - Denotes an item the authenticity of which is under debate.
** - Denotes an item regarded today as spurious, although in the past scholars may have thought it written by Aristotle, and hence it is included here. With this collection, not only do you get all the works by Aristotle that are by Aristotle, you also get the works by Aristotle that are not by Aristotle. What more can you ask?
As a scan of the table of contents should reveal, you really need both volume 1 and 2. They are intended to be together - the chapters are not organized so as to make either readily dispensable. To underline the point, only Volume 2 has an index, and it's for both volumes.
The notes are dead minimal, and the translation from the Greek can often result in some odd sounding passages, the meaning of which the reader has to guess. An example is the very first sentence of the very first chapter, "Categories":
"When things have only a name in common and the definition of being which corresponds to the name is different, they are called homonymous. Thus, for example, both a man and a picture are animals."
I infer that in Greek, the example is clear, although in English it is nonsensical - there was no translator's note, so my inference is all I have.
Grumbling about notes aside, it is great that this collection exists. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in philosophy.
Once again, don't forget to get both volumes.
153 of 164 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This review is a sort of reader's guide to "The Complete Works". I've grouped Aristotle's works into logically related sets, provided a list of the works for each set (in the recommended reading order), and also indicated what sets are prior reading for which other sets. Note that I've restricted myself to those works of undoubted authenticity.
To use this review, locate the set containing a work you are interested in, read the sets that are logically prior to it, and then the prior works in that set.
Categories
"Categories" - Is it about words, ideas, or metaphysics? The answer is: yes! This is the most foundational of Aristotle's works. For almost anything of Aristotle's you plan to read, you should read this first.
Logic
"De Interpretatione", "Prior Analytics", "Posterior Analytics", "Topics", "Sophistical Refutations" - "Categories"is a prerequisite. "De Interpretatione" is about statements (and negations), "Prior Analytics" is about deductions, "Posterior Analytics" is about demonstrations, and "Topics" is about dialectical deduction (and proper formation of definitions). "Sophistical Refutations" is really an appendix to "Topics" and deals with various logical fallacies. Mostly, they're not difficult reading, but "Prior Analytics" may have been the most numbing thing I've read in my whole life. The material about definitions in "Topics" has profound importance for Aristotle's metaphysics.
General Science
"Physics", "On the Heavens", "On Generation and Corruption", "Meteorology" - "Categories" is a prerequisite, and the Logic set is recommended prior reading. "Physics" concerns change - the words "motion", "movement", and so on are often used to indicate any kind of change, not just a change in location. "On the Heavens" concerns cosmology. "On Generation and Corruption" is broadly about chemistry. "Meteorology" is about atmospheric phenomena, but includes such things as comets and earthquakes. Aristotelian physics and cosmology, though pretty thoroughly wrong, have a coherence that goes far to account for their longevity. His equivalent to chemistry, on the other hand, is not only pretty thoroughly wrong, but wrong in ways that really, really make you wish that Aristotle had been willing to say "I don't know" a lot more often than he was.
Biology
"On the Soul", "Sense and Sensibilia", "On Memory", "On Sleep", "On Dreams", "On Divination in Sleep", "On Length and Shortness of Life", "On Youth, Old Age, Life and Death, and Respiration", "Movement of Animals" - "Categories" and the General Science set are prerequisites. "Soul" is a word with a great many associations with Christian belief that should be forgotten before reading this set of works; for Aristotle, in this context, "soul" in this context pretty much means the qualities of living things that differentiate them from non-living and he builds up from there. The titles of these are largely self-explanatory. The bad chemistry in "On Generation and Corruption" leads to even worse biology here.
Zoology
"History of Animals", "Parts of Animals", "Progression of Animals", "Generation of Animals" - "Categories", the General Science set, and the Biology set are prerequisites. Aristotle's writings on Zoology are a farrago of careful observation, folklore, and tall tales. Generally, when people want to make fun of Aristotle, they look in these works for quotes. I will resist the temptation to quote any of them here, and just point out that in Aristotle's time, the technical and social means for doing good work in this area just didn't exist.
Metaphysics
"Metaphysics" - "Categories", the Logic set, and the General Science set are prerequisites, with the Biology set recommended, but not necessary. Although "Metaphysics" is famously difficult, you may not find it too hard if you have read the recommended prior works (particularly the material on definitions in "Topics"), and don't get too obsessed about trying to understand his attempts at refuting the views of philosophers whose works we no longer possess. Also, be aware that there are some confusing uses of the word "soul" as well that pretty clearly have a much broader meaning than those in the set on Biology.
Ethics
"Eudemian Ethics", "Nicomachean Ethics" - No prerequisites. Both of these are lecture notes taken by students, whose names grace the titles of the works. The works are overlapping and don't have a real logical order. Of the two, Nicomachean Ethics is longer and covers more ground, and is therefore more commonly referenced than Eudemian Ethics, but the Eudemian Ethics flows better, and is the better one to read first. Some historical background reading about Greek society at this time is recommended. Perhaps surprisingly, after reading Aristotle's Ethics, his "Rhetoric" is highly recommended follow-up reading (the dark side of ethics, so to speak).
Politics
"Constitution of Athens", "Politics" - The Ethics set is a prerequisite. "Constitution of Athens" is a political history of Athens. "Politics" is political theory. Reading "Constitution of Athens" before "Politics" can help provide context for the latter work, although additional historical background reading about Greece in Aristotle's time is highly recommended.
Rhetoric
"Rhetoric" - "Categories", the Logic set, and the Ethics set are recommended prior reading. "Rhetoric" was a somewhat disreputable subject for Aristotle in that it aimed not at knowledge, but at persuasion, and by any means fair or foul. As part of this work, Aristotle expounds quite a bit on human nature, which makes this a fascinating follow-on to his works on Ethics.
Aesthetics
"Poetics" - No real prerequisites. This work, though short, has profoundly impacted aesthetic theory, particularly in the dramatic arts. Everyone should read this.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'm pleased that this book is as complete as it claims to be. Between the two volumes, the readers meets with every aspect of Aristotle's thought, including almost one hundred pages of fragments testimonies.
Unfortunately, I also have several complaints...
a) most of these translations are old - early 20th century old - and this doesn't always make it very easy to read them; they are, if you will, 'classic' translations, but I would have preferred to see Oxford hire a new team of translators to assemble and Aristotle fit for the new century
b) there is very, very little commentary - admittedly, here I compare the complete works of Aristotle to the complete works of Plato, published by Hackett. In Hackett's Plato, there are occasional footnotes to aid the reader's understanding of difficult passages. The Oxford Aristotle only notes paragraphs that were excised in the original translations, and, very, very occasional (10-20 times in the entire library) provides more substantial notes. There aren't even endnotes!
c) there are no introductions to give context to the works - again, I compare with Hackett's Plato. It would have been nice to hear the story behind works of disputed authorship, rather than simply placing a * or ** next to the title of the dialogue. It would also serve to consider how each work relates to the rest of Aristotle's corpus
d) the fragments are poorly arranged. I can see how certain fragments might not specifically reference a certain work, but the editors already arrange them according to the works they supposedly reference - what they don't do is formally divide them as such. Instead, they are placed into general categories.
In summary, what I received from my 8-9 months of Oxford's Aristotle was an incomplete experience. I had hoped to see the best scholarship that money could buy, and instead I met with Jonathan Barne's 'hands-off' tendencies. I respect the idealism of leaving a work to speak for himself, but I also deeply appreciate the guidance of those who have read the Philosopher before me.
Would I buy these books again? Likely, no, I would instead go through the hassle of assembling all of Aristotle's work in smaller collections, finding editions of different works that feature introductions, footnotes and newer translations.
d)
Unfortunately, I also have several complaints...
a) most of these translations are old - early 20th century old - and this doesn't always make it very easy to read them; they are, if you will, 'classic' translations, but I would have preferred to see Oxford hire a new team of translators to assemble and Aristotle fit for the new century
b) there is very, very little commentary - admittedly, here I compare the complete works of Aristotle to the complete works of Plato, published by Hackett. In Hackett's Plato, there are occasional footnotes to aid the reader's understanding of difficult passages. The Oxford Aristotle only notes paragraphs that were excised in the original translations, and, very, very occasional (10-20 times in the entire library) provides more substantial notes. There aren't even endnotes!
c) there are no introductions to give context to the works - again, I compare with Hackett's Plato. It would have been nice to hear the story behind works of disputed authorship, rather than simply placing a * or ** next to the title of the dialogue. It would also serve to consider how each work relates to the rest of Aristotle's corpus
d) the fragments are poorly arranged. I can see how certain fragments might not specifically reference a certain work, but the editors already arrange them according to the works they supposedly reference - what they don't do is formally divide them as such. Instead, they are placed into general categories.
In summary, what I received from my 8-9 months of Oxford's Aristotle was an incomplete experience. I had hoped to see the best scholarship that money could buy, and instead I met with Jonathan Barne's 'hands-off' tendencies. I respect the idealism of leaving a work to speak for himself, but I also deeply appreciate the guidance of those who have read the Philosopher before me.
Would I buy these books again? Likely, no, I would instead go through the hassle of assembling all of Aristotle's work in smaller collections, finding editions of different works that feature introductions, footnotes and newer translations.
d)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic.
This is the first part of Bollingen's complete collection of the works of Aristotle, one of the greatest minds in the history of the world. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Little Known Blogger
3.0 out of 5 stars
Review by J. Colannino
This is a profound and remarkably boring/pedantic work (as are most original philosophical tomes). Despite that, Aristotle still has relevance today and has influenced science,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joseph Colannino
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wealth of philosophy - 2
I have read bits and pieces over the years but I decided I needed to do a comprehensive read of all Plato's works. The book is in great shape and the translations are well done.
Published 8 months ago by NitaBillS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvelous- It's ALL in here folks! (BOTH VOLUMES)
I studied philosophy in a French speaking Institute in Europe. These two volumes came in very handy. Read more
Published on November 25, 2006 by M. Persic
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where's Volume 2?
(This is not a review, it's just instruction for those who, like me, had trouble finding Volume 2 or the two-volume set). If you're at the "Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. Read more
Published on November 30, 2004 by David McFarlane
5.0 out of 5 stars
for the student of logic and biology
The first volume of Aristotle's complete works will give any Analytical Philosopher a fine felicity. Read more
Published on September 2, 2004 by Michael J. Szymczyk
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Classicists and Novices Alike
Barnes' translation is painstakingly accurate as well as highly readable, making these the best (as well as, quite obviously, the most comprehensive) Aristotle volumes on the... Read more
Published on August 16, 2003 by Gregory Atwan
1.0 out of 5 stars
a bad revised book.
compared to this revised edition, i would rather refer to the original work of W. D. Ross, whose translation is excellent and marvelous. Read more
Published on May 19, 2001 by Qiang Xu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the price. After 2500 years finally a collected works!
I recently purchased Volume One and Two of the complete Aristotle from Amazon. I had many bits and pieces of Aristotle's Corpus but I wasn't sure what's missing. Read more
Published on July 13, 2000 by Craig G Cram
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