'Out of the cradle, endlessly rocking...'

Sunday, January 6, 2013

aristotelian reflections from another...

     This, the opening of Fran O'Rourke's 'Human Nature and Destiny in Aristotle':

'Aristotle's inquiry into human nature is manifold and far-reaching. Each aspect of his philosophy discloses an understanding of man as unique - distinguished in his diversity. Aristotle's man merits the Odyssean epithet [polytropos]: of many turns, versatile and resourceful. Superficially his creative and adaptive character is confirmed by the titles of Aristotle's various treatises. A cursory review indicates that man is a living, breathing animal endowed with soul; he investigates the world and deliberates how he himself should live, pondering his actions as dramatically represented by the tragic poets. Aristotelian man sleeps, dreams, and is anxious about old age; living in a political state and fascinated by the animal world, he looks to the heavens in hope of discerning his destiny.'

That sounds about right.

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