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Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1

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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.

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.

(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. 1" page, you can click on "Other Editions: Hardcover" to get to Volume 2. But how do you get to the two-volume set? The easiest way is to do a normal search for books by Aristotle. You will find an entry for "Complete Works of Aristotle, Vol. 1". Neither the second volume nor the two-volume set will appear in the results! Instead, click on "Other Editions: See all (3)". Then you'll get a page listing each volume individually, plus the two-volume set. (I had to give a rating just to post this, so I just gave it a 4 for now.)

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. These two volumes give us everything and it is indexed - a scholar's dream. A must have for any philsopher and anyone wanting the foundation stones of western culture. Aristotle never fails to enlighten and surprise. My only complain is the absence of a Greek lexicon for certain key terms and passages.

If you have the money, buy these volumes.

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)

I studied philosophy in a French speaking Institute in Europe. These two volumes came in very handy. The first question that may come to mind for those shopping for Aristotle is whether it's necessary to purchase the "Complete Works" and not just a volume of Major Works. In fact, it's not necessary- you'll get so much enrichment from even one major work of The Philosopher, especially with the aid of a competent professor. However, the complete works will ensure you that you have everything, and provide a good deal more reading enjoyment (even Aristotle's final will and testament is printed in Vol. II).

Aside from that, the translations contained in these works are considered the best available in English (and perhaps any) language other than the original Greek. To testify to this fact, some of my native French professors would occassionally ask to borrow my volumes to make photocopies of certain passages (or more), telling me that they felt the English translations were far better done than those in their native tounge! (And we know how much the French care for their native tounge!)

All in all, excellent books and money well spent.

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 market, for those familiar with the Aristotelean corpus in its original Greek, as well as for anyone who wants a good introduction to the seminal thinker.
As seems to be a common complaint--alas, the index leaves very much to be desired, and the editorial introduction is not great: Durant's famous essay (available in the "Story of Philosophy") eclipses it easily. Nonetheless, these two volumes should replace all the Aristotle on your shelf: they are a pleasure to own and read.
"Ho anexetastos bios ou biotos anthropoi--the unexamined life is not worth living." Said by Plato, proved by Aristotle.

The first volume of Aristotle's complete works will give any Analytical Philosopher a fine felicity. However, if, like myself, you find logic to be a tedious and removed (although worthwhile) activity, you will find the first 314 pages to be, well, an antidote to insomnia (However to note, the medievals considered these logical works to be some of the finest of Aristotle's. There are also some good sayings, such as '...if you can find noone else to argue with, then argue with yourself' in these works). Then, you will reach the Physics, a must read (along with Augustines Confessions (Book 11 in that work I believe) and Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason) of any student who considers the contemplation of time a worthwhile activity (in my own philosophy, I consider the contemplation of time to be that which is most important in Philosophy, mainly because it allows us to realize that 'given enough time everything becomes insignificant' and therefore, what has significance, the 'given' or now, is what should be given priority, rather than the secondary relations to social and bodily pleasures which for the most part, dominate our lives, and make the enjoyment of the given, life itself, forgotten). After the Physics, there are 13 smaller works that deal with topics such as the heavens, memory, dreams and youth and old age. These begin to become a precursor for Aristotle's zoological works 'History of Animals', 'Parts of Animals', 'Movement of Animals', 'Progression of Animals' and 'Generation of Animals'. These works are interesting mainly from a historical perspective (hearing Aristotle talk about the flatulence of elephants is intriguing to say the least). Then, you will come to works which many believe to be authentically Aristotle's, 'On Colours', 'On Things Heard' and 'Physiognomics'. With that ends volume one of Aristotle's Complete Works. For the reader who is not disciplined in Philosophy, I would not recommend diving into Aristotle without first finding some gear (i.e., previous philosophical experience) otherwise you will find these Aristotlean waters to be cold and uninviting. You may want to pick up an introductory title to Philosophy, such as The Story of Philosophy, then read Plato's complete works, and then come to this book, and then volume 2 (which should be read by every man, woman and child on this earth.)

Also recommended: Toilet: The Novel by Michael Szymczyk. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. The Collected Dialouges of Plato. Volume 2 of Aristotle's Complete Works.

compared to this revised edition, i would rather refer to the original work of W. D. Ross, whose translation is excellent and marvelous. i recommend this one but don't know where to get it now.