Aristotle's Defence of Philosophy in the Protrepticus.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hildebrandt, Ronja.

Series:

Oxford Aristotle Studies Series

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (288 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2026.

Summary:

This book explores Aristotle's argument in his Protrepticus that philosophy is both useful and intrinsically valuable for all who can philosophize. Ronja Hildebrandt challenges the widespread view that the Protrepticus reflects an early, merely Platonic phase of Aristotle's thought, offering new insights into his surviving works.

Contents:

Cover

Aristotle's Defence of Philosophy in the Protrepticus

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

Notes on Texts and Translations

1: Introduction

1.1 The History of Authenticating Aristotle's Protrepticus

1.2 The Methods of Authenticating Aristotle's Protrepticus

1.3 The Protrepticus' Composition and Rhetorical Strategy

1.4 Aristotle's Argumentative Style in the Protrepticus

1.5 The Protrepticus' Date of Composition and Form

2: Is Philosophy Useless?

2.1 An Overview of the Argument

2.2 If the End Is Useless, the Means Are Useless

2.3 The End of Studying Philosophy

2.4 On What Is Good and Beneficial

2.5 Explanatory Knowledge and Good Actions

2.6 Philosophy Leaves Behind the Greatest Good

2.7 Whom Does the Criticism Represent?

3: What Is Philosophy in theProtrepticus?

3.1 Philosophy Is the Acquisition and Use of Wisdom

3.2 Philosophy Is Knowledge of Two Domains

3.3 Philosophy Is Knowledge of the Just and Helpful

3.4 Philosophy Is Knowledge of Nature and the Rest of Truth

3.5 Philosophy and the Relation of Its Parts

3.6 Philosophy Is Fundamental Explanatory Knowledge

4: One Must Philosophize The Philosophēteon Argument

4.1 The Sources

4.2 Ambiguities

4.3 How Does the Argument Work?

5: Philosophy Is Good and Useful

5.1 An Overview of the Argument

5.2 Wisdom Is Authoritative

5.3 Wisdom Is the Best Thing

5.4 We Should Pursue Philosophy

5.5 Aristotle's Grand End View in the Protrepticus

6: Philosophy Is Easy

6.1 Philosophers Make Quick Progress

6.2 Philosophy Is Pleasant

6.3 Philosophy Is Self-Sufficient

6.4 Philosophy is Easy in Certain Respects

7: Philosophy Makes Us Happy

7.1 An Overview of the Argument

7.2 Setting the Agenda: Searching for Our Proper Virtue.

7.3 Our Proper Virtue Is the Virtue of Reason

7.4 Our Proper Virtue Is the Best Virtue

7.5 Our Proper Virtue Completes Our Ergon

7.6 The Principle of Teleological Priority

7.7 Our Proper Virtue Cannot Be Productive

7.8 Happiness and the Approximation of Theoretical Wisdom

8: Philosophy Is What We Come to Be For

8.1 An Overview of the Argument

8.2 Human Beings Have an End

8.3 Ends Are Better and the Human End Is Best

8.4 The Criterion for Ends

8.5 Wisdom Is the Human End

8.6 Wisdom Is the Highest Good for Human Beings

8.7 Aristotle's Ergon and Telos Arguments: A Comparison

9: Theoretical Philosophy Is Useful for Legislation

9.1 Lawgivers Are Like Doctors and Trainers

9.2 Legislative Standards Are Like Building Tools

9.3 Lawgivers Are Like Builders

9.4 Theoretical Knowledge Is Like Sight

9.5 Is Aristotle's View Consistent?

10: Philosophers Enjoy Living the Most

10.1 An Overview of the Argument

10.2 Degrees of Living

10.3 Philosophers Live the Most

10.4 To Enjoy Living

10.5 Philosophers Enjoy the Highest Degree of Living

10.6 Is Philosophizing the Most Pleasant Activity?

11: Conclusion

APPENDIX

Bibliography

Index Locorum

General Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-199561-4

0-19-888991-7

9780198889915

OCLC:

1579622065