The Great Philosophers: Aristotle

by Kenneth McLeish

Aristotle c. 384- c.322 BC The ideas Aristotle outlined in his Poetics have formed the foundation for the whole history of western critical theory. No work has had more influence upon the literature of centuries ? neither has any been so profoundly, so perversely misunderstood. Mystification, moralization, recruitment into the cause of this or that literary culture? with all the interpretations, Aristotle has too seldom been permitted to speak for himself. If the prescriptive rigidities of the Renaissance went entirely against the grain of his open, accepting empiricism, the psychologising mania of the moderns has been no truer a reflection of his thought. Kenneth McLeish's introduction cuts through centuries of accreted obscurity to reveal the forthright, astonishingly original book which Aristotle actually wrote. The philosopher who emerges proves more modern? than any of his interpreters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

John Kenneth Tyrrell McLeish, known as Kenneth McLeish was a British writer, playwright and translator. McLeish, "the most widely respected and prolific translator of drama in Britain", translated all the surviving classical Greek plays, most plays by Henrik Ibsen and Georges Feydeau, and individual plays by Plautus, Molière, Alfred Jarry, August Strindberg, Ödön von Horváth and Eugène Labiche.

Reviews

[Georgia Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. I have a paperback copy. It can fit in my pocket.

[Zina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a short note about this short book: McLeish’s Aristotle concerns Poetics almost exclusively. It is not clear from the cover and title but when you open the book to the third page it says Poetics. Unfortunately I am studying Politics right now and, though it had a helpful timeline and little bit of history, this book is ultimately unhelpful for my study.