I really enjoyed this interest packed lifestory which came up randomly on my you tube recommended feed. The lecturer caught my attention right away with the details of how Aristotle's birth was celebrated and her interpretations of family & Greek life of the time. Well imagined and described. I learnt a lot and have saved this to see it again with my friends. Thank you.
I read her book, Aristotle's Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life, and I recommend it. While the title suggests a self-help volume, actually that isn't what it's about. Instead, it's a distillation of all the insights from Aristotle's writings which she has collected during years of teaching. It's worth reading.
The world population during Aristotle's lifetime was likely less than 500 million, maybe, 300 million. Today we are approaching 8 billion. How many Aristotles might now exist or, conversely, how would Aristotle fare today?
Re point @9:10 ... little known fact: Aristotle says virtue is a kind of activity, and the activity is happiness (virtue doesn't "make you happy"). Also, the best activity isn't morally virtuous activity, but rather intellectually virtuous activity. Morally virtuous activity, Aristotle says, is "second rate" happiness (it's actually the title of Chapter 8, Book X, EN)... because morality involves people, and working with people is messy. Intellectual activity can be done alone, so it meets one of the criteria for happiness set out early in his ethics: that it is self-sufficient.
"[...] the planet Mars, which he called Αρεσ (Ares)" The Greeks use the names of the Greek gods and goddesses to refer to the planet to this day: Venus is Afrodite, Neptune is Poseidon and so on.
Instead of the British accent which I usually enjoy hearing, it would have been nice to hear the Greek names and places pronounced as they were originally.
A most entertaining lecture. Thanks, Gresham, for posting this fine Edith Hall lecture! I've read Nikomakian (I'm a hayseed Greek with no Latin) Ethics more than once and "The Official Field Guide to Elitism" (AKA Plato's The Republic)*. I acknowledge the gravity and pond'rous weight of the mantle of the Socratic Method, but am not compelled to follow it as my battle standard. I am more of a Lucretius fanboi. For those with an interest, might I direct you to the real heavyweight intellectual of the classical period: Artisofanes (Aristophanes to you Hayseed Latins with no Greek). His biting commentary on the Socratic method ("The Clouds") is one of the great works of literature. Like all the best thoughts, it is just as impressive in translation. I urge you to read it. Combining superficiality and appreciation of human frailty with supremely sharp insight, all while adding a touch of the exotic or fantastic, is how one entertains and enlightens (for good or ill) a crowd. Schools taught like that would be remembered. And fathers would not be beaten as often by their spendthrift sons. *And Symposium. It is evident to me that most great thoughts and great decisions were made by drunkards. Churchill. Bismarck. Grant. Socrates. Napoleon. Santa Anna. Especially Santa Anna. Agathon suggests, by inference, that, if you get a man drunk first, and then pull the old "remember when--" thing on him . . . all chitons are off! Ah, sweet shared pain . . . nostalgia, to you Latins.
What's wrong with number theory? Still fascinating after over 2000 years. Me thinks the personal judgments of this very engaging professor is tinting her rose coloured glasses. Lovely talk by the way. Aristotle got alot wrong as well of course. And he became so eminent that progress in knowledge was knocked back and stifled for about 1700 years in many areas.
The old pathetic formula of critics who resource to lowering others in order to elevate a chosen subject. Should have mentioned though how greatly disappointed Alexander became when he learnt he would be turned down by his tutor for the sake of mediocre (sic) Theophrastus, as the new head of the school. Thus, all the drinking and dissipation which led him to conquer whatever else was left there to be taken; namely, the rest of the world. But thanks anyway to those mediocre (resic) members of the late Academy who centuries on kept their interest in commenting the works of the long defunct Lyceum school...
I like to think of the young Aristotle having fun with play doh. He was do cute and innocent then. Later on, as we know from Monty Python, honwentbtontge bottle for his philosophical solutions, not the I blame him I dare say that Alexander was a bad influence.
BCE???? What is the common era? Oh yes, the era of Jesus Christ. So why not say it, BC? Well, that's because you are a occultist dissembler. Your method doesn't impress me.
Edith is great. So engaging and truly genuine.
What a good classicist!
What a pleasant, informative talk!
(1st, hopefully not last.)
A lively informative expansion on life and works of this great philosopher.
I really enjoyed this interest packed lifestory which came up randomly on my you tube recommended feed. The lecturer caught my attention right away with the details of how Aristotle's birth was celebrated and her interpretations of family & Greek life of the time. Well imagined and described. I learnt a lot and have saved this to see it again with my friends. Thank you.
Been meaning to watch this for a while....well worth it and fills some gaps.
I read her book, Aristotle's Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life, and I recommend it. While the title suggests a self-help volume, actually that isn't what it's about. Instead, it's a distillation of all the insights from Aristotle's writings which she has collected during years of teaching. It's worth reading.
Nicely told, and fact-filled biography by Professor Hall. Fast moving and interesting. Thanks :-)
Excellent....thank you !
The world population during Aristotle's lifetime was likely less than 500 million, maybe, 300 million. Today we are approaching 8 billion. How many Aristotles might now exist or, conversely, how would Aristotle fare today?
Re point @9:10 ... little known fact: Aristotle says virtue is a kind of activity, and the activity is happiness (virtue doesn't "make you happy"). Also, the best activity isn't morally virtuous activity, but rather intellectually virtuous activity. Morally virtuous activity, Aristotle says, is "second rate" happiness (it's actually the title of Chapter 8, Book X, EN)... because morality involves people, and working with people is messy. Intellectual activity can be done alone, so it meets one of the criteria for happiness set out early in his ethics: that it is self-sufficient.
Great lecture!
What a wonderful Lecture! :) Great way to start my Friday. Thank you Gresham College.
-Miguel
"[...] the planet Mars, which he called Αρεσ (Ares)"
The Greeks use the names of the Greek gods and goddesses to refer to the planet to this day: Venus is Afrodite, Neptune is Poseidon and so on.
Alexander had Aristotle's nephew, historian Callisthenes executed in 327 BCE, so I doubt Alexander's death shook Aristotle that much.
He grew up in Staggerer, which fits with the Monty Python theory.
Instead of the British accent which I usually enjoy hearing, it would have been nice to hear the Greek names and places pronounced as they were originally.
Ever hear the way the Greeks speak English!
Hahaha...
Consequently
I like Aristotle the most.
Nice
There was a centaur at the beginning of medicine, which explains why some doctors are called horse doctors.
Vets are called horse doctors.
it was the first medical centaur !
A most entertaining lecture. Thanks, Gresham, for posting this fine Edith Hall lecture!
I've read Nikomakian (I'm a hayseed Greek with no Latin) Ethics more than once and "The Official Field Guide to Elitism" (AKA Plato's The Republic)*. I acknowledge the gravity and pond'rous weight of the mantle of the Socratic Method, but am not compelled to follow it as my battle standard. I am more of a Lucretius fanboi.
For those with an interest, might I direct you to the real heavyweight intellectual of the classical period: Artisofanes (Aristophanes to you Hayseed Latins with no Greek). His biting commentary on the Socratic method ("The Clouds") is one of the great works of literature. Like all the best thoughts, it is just as impressive in translation. I urge you to read it. Combining superficiality and appreciation of human frailty with supremely sharp insight, all while adding a touch of the exotic or fantastic, is how one entertains and enlightens (for good or ill) a crowd.
Schools taught like that would be remembered. And fathers would not be beaten as often by their spendthrift sons.
*And Symposium. It is evident to me that most great thoughts and great decisions were made by drunkards. Churchill. Bismarck. Grant. Socrates. Napoleon. Santa Anna. Especially Santa Anna. Agathon suggests, by inference, that, if you get a man drunk first, and then pull the old "remember when--" thing on him . . . all chitons are off! Ah, sweet shared pain . . . nostalgia, to you Latins.
What's wrong with number theory? Still fascinating after over 2000 years. Me thinks the personal judgments of this very engaging professor is tinting her rose coloured glasses. Lovely talk by the way. Aristotle got alot wrong as well of course. And he became so eminent that progress in knowledge was knocked back and stifled for about 1700 years in many areas.
Every man desires to know.
I've often wondered if there were lyce in the Lyceum.
Don Fox Yes, there were. They were much bigger in Ancient Greece. Hence, the name, “Lyce, see ‘em”.
"twin peaks"
> hipster ears perk
The old pathetic formula of critics who resource to lowering others in order to elevate a chosen subject. Should have mentioned though how greatly disappointed Alexander became when he learnt he would be turned down by his tutor for the sake of mediocre (sic) Theophrastus, as the new head of the school. Thus, all the drinking and dissipation which led him to conquer whatever else was left there to be taken; namely, the rest of the world. But thanks anyway to those mediocre (resic) members of the late Academy who centuries on kept their interest in commenting the works of the long defunct Lyceum school...
I like to think of the young Aristotle having fun with play doh. He was do cute and innocent then. Later on, as we know from Monty Python, honwentbtontge bottle for his philosophical solutions, not the I blame him I dare say that Alexander was a bad influence.
Was there a gay person named Yorasicus Isminecus?
So Aristotle studied his own name initially. Boring. No wonder he turned to nature.
BCE???? What is the common era? Oh yes, the era of Jesus Christ. So why not say it, BC? Well, that's because you are a occultist dissembler. Your method doesn't impress me.
Flantam bloth mei then occult... 'disemble' nei rang nor obtuse.
Never happened