The Politics of Philosophy: A Commentary on Aristotle's Politics [Paperback]

Michael Davis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0847682064 | ISBN-13: 978-0847682065 | Publication Date: April 2, 1996

In the most original interpretation of Aristotle's Politics in years, Michael Davis delivers many memorable and provocative formulations of Aristotle's messages concerning the constitutive tensions of political life. He traces the uncanny parallel between politics and philosophy in Aristotle, arguing that their connection is much deeper than it is ordinarily understood to be and that, for Aristotle, understanding either requires understanding the other. Davis presents his interpretation with a striking clarity and accessibility that makes the book a pleasure to read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Michael Davis has for the first time shown how the disparate parts of Aristotle's Politics are to be understood in light of their several perplexities, and how all the parts constitute a whole that constitutes in turn political philosophy and the philosophical nature of human, i.e., political, life. (Seth Benardete )

In this compact and deeply profound reading of Aristotle's Politics, Davis explains in a new and intriguing way why the city is thought to be natural to man. An exceptional book, filled with exciting arguments and amazing insights. (Choice )

This landmark interpretation . . . is an important work that will endure. (Cropsey, Joseph )

Full of surprising insights and memorable formulations. (Salkever, Stephen )

A truly remarkable book. It is a delight to read. (Mary Nichols )

Compact and deeply profound reading . . . exceptional book, filled with exacting arguments and amazing insights. (Social & Behavioral Science )

About the Author

Michael Davis is professor of philosophy at Sarah Lawrence College and is the author of Aristotle's Poetics: The Poetry of Philosophy (Rowman & Littlefield, 1992).

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (April 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847682064
• ISBN-13: 978-0847682065
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a godsend, July 9, 2008

By 

Mark Twain - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Politics of Philosophy: A Commentary on Aristotle's Politics (Paperback)

My impression cannot possibly amount to much, as this is the only secondary source which constitutes a bonafide book that I have actually read on Aristotle's Politics, but still--Davis' analysis is simply spectacular. To keep it simple, though, let me just say that the formal structure Davis brings to light is alone worth the price of admission.