Aristotle's Political Philosophy - by Mark Blitz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Aristotle's Political Philosophy offers a concise and accessible overview of Aristotle's political thought in his Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, and Rhetoric.

Aristotle's writings on politics are known for their legendary complexity and contradictions. In Aristotle's Political Philosophy, renowned scholar Mark Blitz draws connections between the Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, and Rhetoric to explain how these texts relate and interact with each other. Throughout the book, Blitz examines the foundations of political action, devoting special attention to Aristotle's understanding of virtue, justice, slavery, education, friendship, statesmanship, and speech. In doing so, Blitz clarifies the central ethical and political concepts presented throughout these works to articulate how these texts, together, advance a coherent political philosophy.

After offering a comprehensive analysis of Aristotle's political thought, Blitz ultimately argues that Aristotelian philosophy remains fundamental for understanding modern political opinions, practices, and institutions.

Review Quotes

"Blitz has a gift for explaining Aristotle's thought in a down-to-earth, lucid, and balanced manner that renders that thought helpfully accessible to the contemporary reader." --Peter J. Ahrensdorf, author of Homer and the Traditional Political Philosophy

"With a remarkably sure hand, Mark Blitz guides the reader through the texts, weaving together summary and quotation with clear and penetrating analysis." --Robert Bartlett, translator of Aristotle's "Art of Rhetoric"

"Blitz elucidates the fundamental ethical and political phenomena treated by Aristotle with a directness and conceptual clarity unmatched by anyone writing today, at the same time demonstrating the enduring relevance of Aristotle's understanding to our modern liberal democratic regime." --Christopher Lynch, author of Machiavelli on War

About the Author

Mark Blitz is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Political Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College. He is the author of numerous books, including Reason and Politics.