Sublime

Aristotle identified deep contemplation as the most human and worthy of all activities.

Aristotle’s pithy two-word definition of man—the rational animal—has gained classical status. “Animal” is the proximate genus; “rational” is the specific difference.

The Stoics believed that our truest attachments are not to our families, or associates, or country, but to a world order governed by fixed universal laws.

Aristotle says that good lawgivers have shown more concern for friendship than for justice.

Aristotle described his ethical system in his Nicomachean Ethics, which he wrote for his son. It’s an engaging read, surprisingly immediate and accessible in a way that many of these ancient texts are. This was an era when ethical philosophy existed only to provoke real changes in real people, and the language used was not only agreeable but very o

‘All human beings by nature desire knowledge.’ This, the opening sentence of the Metaphysics

In its general outlines, the philosophy of Aquinas agrees with that of Aristotle, and will be accepted or rejected by a reader in the measure in which he accepts or rejects the philosophy of the Stagyrite.

Aristotle’s approach was different from Plato’s, and far less lofty. He was very interested in life, and living, and his approach to ethics had none of the cool detachedness of the Platonist apprehending these sublime Ideals out there on some heavenly plane. Rather than the Truth being Out There, he encouraged us to look inwards to find out what ma