Aristotle for Everybody (Paperback)

by Mortimer J. Adler (Author) "Many of us have played two games without realizing we were on the way to becoming philosophical..." (more)
Key Phrases: one right plan, productive idea, immediate inference, Thomas Jefferson, Man the Doer, State of New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) taught logic to Alexander the Great and, by virtue of his philosophical works, to every philosopher since. Here, the 20th century's Mortimer J. Adler instructs the world in Aristotelian logic. By encouraging readers to think philosophically, Adler offers us a unique path to personal insights and understanding of intangibles, such as the difference between wants and needs.

From AudioFile
This overview of Aristotle's philosophy strives for accessibility. While serious, sometimes profound ideas are discussed in simple, everyday terms, some passages are confusing or even amusing when they become more convoluted than the concepts they explain. Though the author stresses that Aristotle is understandable to everybody, the choice of Frederick Davidson as reader either acknowledges or assumes Aristotle appeals more to a select audience. Davidson has a wonderful voice. Far from common, it's a genuinely erudite English actor's voice. His sound is classy and classical. He does absolutely nothing wrong, yet the elite quality of his voice may not help "everybody" feel at home with philosophy. D.J. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684838230
• ISBN-13: 978-0684838236
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,620 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy made fun for anyone who wants to enjoy it!, July 6, 2000

By	Peter Dykhuis (Grandville, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is an absolutely great book. This is the type of book that justifies all of the fluff in the publishing world. This book is written in a way that anyone can not only understand but also enjoy.

This book is 190 pages (Bantam 1978). There are no dull chapters or useless ramblings. All of the chapters and portions build upon each other and grant a continuing greater understanding of Aristotle and philosophy as a whole.

The book can be read in its entirety, as I have done many times, or in pieces and morsels, as I have also done many times for papers and brainstorming.

A very worthwhile read and definite necessity for any balanced library.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Correction, August 13, 2001

By	Stuart N. Smith - See all my reviews

Please disregard the previous remork by "a reader" in San Jose. This books is NOT a "Christian spin" on Aristotle. Adler wrote this book a decade before his conversion to Christianity.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy to understand summary of Aristotle's Philosophy, October 24, 2001

By	"ospawno" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

I am a firm believer that reading interpretations of philosophical writings is never a substitute for the actual writings. I read this book and gave it to my wife who did not have the benefit of studying Aristotle in a scholastic environment. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what Aristotle is all about, but doesn't have the time to study all of his works.

In addition, the author has many reference notes that the reader can use to find the original writings to which the book refers. In many ways, the book acts like a good philosophy teacher. Much can be learned by reading the book, and the corresponding works of Aristotle as referenced in the notes.