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On Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethic 8 and 9
In Books 8 and 9 of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle distinguishes among three forms of a primary kind motivated by the other's character and two other kinds motivated by utility and pleasure. He takes up Plato's idea that one knows oneself better as reflected in another's eyes. Aristotle sees true friendship as modeled on true self-love. He further compares friendship with justice, and illustrates the ubiquity of friendship by referring to the way in which we help wayfarers as if they were kin (oikeion), a word he takes from Plato's discussion of love. In many of these respects he probably influenced the Stoic theory of justice.
The commentary by Aspasius that is translated here dates from the second century A.D., and is the earliest extant commentary on Aristotle. The second work is of unknown date and authorship. The third, a commentary by Michael of Ephesus, dates to the twelfth century.
Aspasius worries whether there is only one kind of friendship, with a single definition, and decides that the primary kind of friendship serves as a focal point for defining the other two. Aspasius picks up connections with his Stoic contemporaries. Michael cites Christians and draws from neoplatonists the idea that there is a self-aware part of the soul, and that Aristotle saw individuals as bundles of properties.
The commentary by Aspasius that is translated here dates from the second century A.D., and is the earliest extant commentary on Aristotle. The second work is of unknown date and authorship. The third, a commentary by Michael of Ephesus, dates to the twelfth century.
Aspasius worries whether there is only one kind of friendship, with a single definition, and decides that the primary kind of friendship serves as a focal point for defining the other two. Aspasius picks up connections with his Stoic contemporaries. Michael cites Christians and draws from neoplatonists the idea that there is a self-aware part of the soul, and that Aristotle saw individuals as bundles of properties.
239 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2001
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April 6, 2026
This was an excellent book of commentary on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Again, like the earlier commentary I read by Aspasius, these here are great accompaniments to the NE. I wish to truly be virtuous and free of vice. These books I am going through are showing me where I err, they are a mirror into my soul. I felt this way when reading “The Acting Person” and “Love and Responsibility” by Pope St. John Paul II. Those are two books (in different translation) I wish to return to after my study of the Nicomachean Ethics comes to an end.
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