Sublime

Aristocracies are infinitely more expert in the science of legislation than democracies ever can be. They are possessed of a self-control which protects them from the errors of temporary excitement, and they form lasting designs which they mature with the assistance of favorable opportunities. Aristocratic government proceeds with the dexterity of

In 335 BCE, Aristotle set up his school in the area known as the Lyceum, in Athens. His adherents were known as Peripatetics, which means ‘walking up and down’ – this may have derived from the peripatos or ‘walking ground’ in the Lyceum, or more endearingly from the fact that Aristotle liked to pace back and forth while lecturing.

Working from intuitive ‘common sense’, Aristotle thus built on Plato’s ethics to form a longer list of cardinal virtues: justice, courage, temperance, magnificence, magnanimity, liberality, gentleness, prudence and wisdom. So happiness is now to be found in virtuous activity of the soul carried out in accordance with reason. The best sort of virtuo

Michelet a vu juste ; ce thème est fondamental chez l’empereur philosophe. Chaque espèce a une fonction propre dans l’univers et elle concourt, en vivant comme fourmi, comme araignée, comme abeille, à l’organisation du monde. Ce que chaque espèce fait aveuglément, par sa constitution naturelle, l’homme doit le faire consciemment, rationnellement et

In their proof of Stoicism, the Stoics first observe that Zeus created us and in doing so made us different from the other animals by giving us reason. Because he cares about us, Zeus wanted to design us so that we would always be happy, but he lacked the power to do so. Instead, he did for us what he could: He gave us the means to make life not ju

Aristotle’s second premise is that poetry is better if (to use the terminology of chapter 3) its mode is dramatic rather than narrative. Poetry is imitation; it seeks to create likenesses, and the likeness is greater if the words of those involved in the action are presented directly rather than being mediated by a narrator.

Aristotle calls in Greek tekhnê; the word is conventionally translated as ‘craft’, ‘skill’ or ‘art’, but Aristotle defines tekhnê as a productive capacity informed by an understanding of its intrinsic rationale (cf. Nicomachean Ethics, 1140a20f.).

Aristotle’s approach was different from Plato’s, and far less lofty. He was very interested in life, and living, and his approach to ethics had none of the cool detachedness of the Platonist apprehending these sublime Ideals out there on some heavenly plane. Rather than the Truth being Out There, he encouraged us to look inwards to find out what ma