Aristotle and the Philosophy of Friendship - Softcover

Pangle, Lorraine Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052105267X ISBN 13: 9780521052672

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This comprehensive account of the major philosophical works on friendship and its relationship to self-love emphasizes Aristotle's examination of friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics. Lorraine Pangle argues that the difficulties surrounding this discussion are dispelled as soon as one understands the purpose of the Ethics as both a source of practical guidance for life and a profound, theoretical investigation into human nature. The book provides interpretations of works on friendship by Plato, Cicero, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne and Bacon.

About this title

Book Description

This is the first book to offer a comprehensive account of the major philosophical works on friendship and its relationship to self-love. The book gives central place to Aristotle's examination of friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics. Lorraine Pangle argues that the difficulties surrounding this discussion are soon dispelled once one understands the purpose of the Ethics as both a source of practical guidance for life and a profound, theoretical investigation into human nature.The book also provides interpretations of works on friendship by Plato, Cicero, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne and Bacon.

Review

"[Pangle's] focus on friendship enables the reader to appreciate more deeply the tensions of political life, virtue, and ultimately the life of philosophy...Aristotle's insights come alive in these pages. She also provides convincing proof that the relationship between teacher and student is the paradigmatic friendship, and we are in debt for her benefaction." Review of Politics

"[G]ood discussions of textual problems..... Recommended." Choice

"A valuable contribution to our undertanding of an important topic, not least because it is willing to take risks by including a wide range of philosophical opinions, and by presenting the author's own views alongside those of Plato, Aristotle, Montaigne and Cicero. It repays careful reading by Classicists, historians of philosophy, and all others interested in learning more about friendship." Classical Bulletin

"Pangle has given us a deeply humane account of Aristotelian ideas...At the same time, Pangle's acute critical intelligence enables her to enrich our understanding of Aristotle's doctrines and to bring to light his argumentative and rhetorical strategies." Ancient Philosophy, Dirk t. D. Held, Connecticut College

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 052105267X
• ISBN 13: 9780521052672
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264