What do you think?
Rate this book
Όργανον #1
Categories and Propositions
Les Catégories et le traité Sur l'interprétation ont été placés, dès l'Antiquité, en tête de l'ensemble de traités d'Aristote que l'on a regroupés dans "l'Organon", littéralement l'"instrument", l'"outil" (Catégories, Sur l'interprétation, Premiers Analytiques, Seconds Analytiques/, Topiques, Réfutations sophistiques). Dans la lecture traditionnelle, parmi tous les ouvrages qui s'occupent des instruments dont se sert tout discours ou toute pensée, les Catégories étaient censées étudier les termes simples et le traité Sur l'interprétation considérer les "propositions" résultant de la combinaison de ces termes. Une lecture attentive de ces deux traités - sans doute le plus connu des textes d'Aristote pour le premier, et le plus méconnu pour le second - et de l'appareil critique qui les accompagne permettra peut-être de se faire une idée nouvelle des buts réels de deux ouvrages qui demeurent au fondement de la réflexion des logiciens occidentaux sur les structures formelles de la pensée.
157 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 351
18 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Aristotle
3,949 books5,494 followersAristotle (Greek: Αριστοτέλης; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he began the wider Aristotelian tradition that followed, which set the groundwork for the development of modern science.
Little is known about Aristotle's life. He was born in the city of Stagira in northern Greece during the Classical period. His father, Nicomachus, died when Aristotle was a child, and he was brought up by a guardian. At 17 or 18, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of 37 (c. 347 BC). Shortly after Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and, at the request of Philip II of Macedon, tutored his son Alexander the Great beginning in 343 BC. He established a library in the Lyceum, which helped him to produce many of his hundreds of books on papyrus scrolls.
Though Aristotle wrote many treatises and dialogues for publication, only around a third of his original output has survived, none of it intended for publication. Aristotle provided a complex synthesis of the various philosophies existing prior to him. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion.
Aristotle's views profoundly shaped medieval scholarship. The influence of his physical science extended from late antiquity and the Early Middle Ages into the Renaissance, and was not replaced systematically until the Enlightenment and theories such as classical mechanics were developed. He influenced Judeo-Islamic philosophies during the Middle Ages, as well as Christian theology, especially the Neoplatonism of the Early Church and the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church.
Aristotle was revered among medieval Muslim scholars as "The First Teacher", and among medieval Christians like Thomas Aquinas as simply "The Philosopher", while the poet Dante Alighieri called him "the master of those who know". His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, and were studied by medieval scholars such as Pierre Abélard and Jean Buridan. Aristotle's influence on logic continued well into the 19th century. In addition, his ethics, although always influential, gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics.
Little is known about Aristotle's life. He was born in the city of Stagira in northern Greece during the Classical period. His father, Nicomachus, died when Aristotle was a child, and he was brought up by a guardian. At 17 or 18, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of 37 (c. 347 BC). Shortly after Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and, at the request of Philip II of Macedon, tutored his son Alexander the Great beginning in 343 BC. He established a library in the Lyceum, which helped him to produce many of his hundreds of books on papyrus scrolls.
Though Aristotle wrote many treatises and dialogues for publication, only around a third of his original output has survived, none of it intended for publication. Aristotle provided a complex synthesis of the various philosophies existing prior to him. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion.
Aristotle's views profoundly shaped medieval scholarship. The influence of his physical science extended from late antiquity and the Early Middle Ages into the Renaissance, and was not replaced systematically until the Enlightenment and theories such as classical mechanics were developed. He influenced Judeo-Islamic philosophies during the Middle Ages, as well as Christian theology, especially the Neoplatonism of the Early Church and the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church.
Aristotle was revered among medieval Muslim scholars as "The First Teacher", and among medieval Christians like Thomas Aquinas as simply "The Philosopher", while the poet Dante Alighieri called him "the master of those who know". His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, and were studied by medieval scholars such as Pierre Abélard and Jean Buridan. Aristotle's influence on logic continued well into the 19th century. In addition, his ethics, although always influential, gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Read
October 16, 2022The Categories aims to describe the most fundamental ways in which things are and consequently serves as foundational in Aristotle’s treatises. Indeed, I wonder if I should have begun my Aristotlean excursions here instead of first studying his works on nature such as On the Soul and parts of the Physics and Parts of Animals which leverage the doctrine of the Categories relatively heavily.
Overall, I found the work to have many ‘holes’ and gaps that Aristotle himself seems to perceive at various points. I guess you can’t expect much from a 30-page work on a grounding topic. Nevertheless, it raises some stimulating questions concerning Aristotle’s metaphysical convictions – such as the primacy and priority of primary, particulate substances over genera or the question concerning the unity of the categories – which I must eventually take up.
At any rate, it will be an invaluable text as I move now to study the whole of the Physics. This version also includes the second in series from the Organon, Propositions (De Interpretatione), which I will return to at a later point. This time I relied on Apostle’s commentary much less.
Overall, I found the work to have many ‘holes’ and gaps that Aristotle himself seems to perceive at various points. I guess you can’t expect much from a 30-page work on a grounding topic. Nevertheless, it raises some stimulating questions concerning Aristotle’s metaphysical convictions – such as the primacy and priority of primary, particulate substances over genera or the question concerning the unity of the categories – which I must eventually take up.
At any rate, it will be an invaluable text as I move now to study the whole of the Physics. This version also includes the second in series from the Organon, Propositions (De Interpretatione), which I will return to at a later point. This time I relied on Apostle’s commentary much less.
August 9, 2020
Categories concerns the general categories used in thought which include the essential/accidental distinctions, privation/possession, kinds of change (generation, destruction, increase, diminution, alteration, change of place) and the tendencies of objects/entities. It's hardly a page turner but his thoughts are not entirely systematic but they can be used like a system. A key book to understand his thoughts.
On Interpretation is concerned with linguistics and meaning. In sum, Aristotle sets to provide definitions (for what a name is and what a verb is, and then what a [16a1] negation, an affirmation, a statement and a sentence are.) And continue to discuss the logical relations they have with one another. I cannot precisely say whether the rules of logic differ between English and Ancient Greek but the sense is communicated rather well. Logic, I am sure, transcends language convention.
Highly recommended for any budding linguist.
Both read together will give one a good impression of the systematising and logical mind Aristotle has. If you manage to finish these and enjoyed them, then continue to read the other three in Aristotle Organon. (That's what I endeavour to do). Enjoy!
On Interpretation is concerned with linguistics and meaning. In sum, Aristotle sets to provide definitions (for what a name is and what a verb is, and then what a [16a1] negation, an affirmation, a statement and a sentence are.) And continue to discuss the logical relations they have with one another. I cannot precisely say whether the rules of logic differ between English and Ancient Greek but the sense is communicated rather well. Logic, I am sure, transcends language convention.
Highly recommended for any budding linguist.
Both read together will give one a good impression of the systematising and logical mind Aristotle has. If you manage to finish these and enjoyed them, then continue to read the other three in Aristotle Organon. (That's what I endeavour to do). Enjoy!
February 2, 2018
Categoriile și "Despre interpretare" constituie pietrele de temelie al lucrărilor ce vor pune la rândul bazele a ceea ce va fi numit "logica tradițională" ori aristotelică. Dacă ești interesat de logică efectiv, Aristotel probabil nu'i cel mai potrivit loc de început, căci dezvoltă greoi și e dificil de înțeles. Te poți orienta fără pagubă înspre alte direcții în acest sens.
Însă aceste prime două lucrări, mai cu seamă prima, au valoare inafara logicii propriu zise. Prin categoriile sale Aristotel a făcut un imens pas spre teoria cunoaşterii, practic ce avem aici este o listă de moduri ale omului de a înțelege lumea, desigur, autorul crede că explică ontologic, modurile de a fi a le lumii în sine, însă prin lentilele contemporaneității ce-a absorbit în zarea cunoaşterii comune ideile kantiene de cunoaștere și aflată totodată într-o amplă investigație asupra naturii limbajului, e destul de evident că Aristotel și-a extras categoriile mai ales din limbă. Într-un cuvânt(și un pic superficial), Aristotel pune în evidență toate nuanțele ale verbului "a fi" și rămâne în istorie.
Însă aceste prime două lucrări, mai cu seamă prima, au valoare inafara logicii propriu zise. Prin categoriile sale Aristotel a făcut un imens pas spre teoria cunoaşterii, practic ce avem aici este o listă de moduri ale omului de a înțelege lumea, desigur, autorul crede că explică ontologic, modurile de a fi a le lumii în sine, însă prin lentilele contemporaneității ce-a absorbit în zarea cunoaşterii comune ideile kantiene de cunoaștere și aflată totodată într-o amplă investigație asupra naturii limbajului, e destul de evident că Aristotel și-a extras categoriile mai ales din limbă. Într-un cuvânt(și un pic superficial), Aristotel pune în evidență toate nuanțele ale verbului "a fi" și rămâne în istorie.
October 9, 2017
Really a mix of logic, the study of language, and ontology. Where Plato sees the forms as the purest of beings, Aristotle sees the individual being as the purest. Two sides of the same coin.
May 17, 2019
You'd probably need to read this quite a few times.
August 28, 2019
Not quite the essential Aristotle, but it is still Aristotle, so...
September 21, 2024
Boa tradução.
October 27, 2024
Sympa, en vrai. C’est le genre d’ouvrages où tu comprends des trucs, ça te fait réfléchir un peu, affirmer un peu, être attentif, mais ça mérite une, deux ou 3 relectures.
July 14, 2018
Within the work, Aristotle lays the foundation for generations of scholars and philosophers. While the work can be a little dense, I would recommend this before attempting Derrida or Butler, for sure.
September 23, 2013
The second book in Aristotle's Organon and a relatively short but mind-bending exploration of linguistic logic and the problem of future contingents. Despite classic Aristotelian logic having fallen from favor, it's not difficult to see why Kant once declared there was nothing new to invent after Aristotle.
February 19, 2014
Loved the "Categories" and will be coming back to it often.
Lukewarm on "De Intepretatione." The material on predication is rudimentary but interesting. The material on modal logic is awful. Here, Aristotle sowed the seeds of "possible worlds" and today's lush garden of "angels on the head of a pin" idiocy.
Next stop in my Aristotle journey: "On Dreams."
Lukewarm on "De Intepretatione." The material on predication is rudimentary but interesting. The material on modal logic is awful. Here, Aristotle sowed the seeds of "possible worlds" and today's lush garden of "angels on the head of a pin" idiocy.
Next stop in my Aristotle journey: "On Dreams."
June 26, 2008
From Antiquity, the foundations for logic are laid out in these first two parts of Aristotle's Organon. It's hard to exaggerate their importance in Western philosophy. A thorough understanding of hermeneutics, impossibility, necessity, and contingency begins here.
March 9, 2014
a lucid translation with a critical apparatus that won't overwhelm.
Aristotle's thoughts resonate thoroughly in the 21st century and still influence our ways of experiencing life and all that is around us
Aristotle's thoughts resonate thoroughly in the 21st century and still influence our ways of experiencing life and all that is around us
October 2, 2013
Rating for Ackrill's commentary, which is terrific both as elucidatory aid for everything Aristotle didn't write clearly and as exegetical digging for everything he didn't write at all.
January 2, 2014
Quite demanding, and accordingly rewarding.
January 3, 2016
A parte do De Interpretatione é muito interessante. Achei muito confuso e tive dificuldade a compreende-lo, mas foi bom para perceber Wittgenstein (O Tractatus) e para relacionar.
May 30, 2016
Très intéressant mais un peu complexe, surtout la fin
February 16, 2018
Rating for translation/edition.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews