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by Robin Sharma
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Aristotle’s Way summary
Edith Hall
How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life
21 mins
Brief summary
Aristotle's Way by Edith Hall is a guide to living a fulfilling life inspired by the teachings of Aristotle. It explores how his philosophy can help us navigate challenges and find meaning in our lives through cultivating virtues and pursuing happiness.
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Aristotle’s Way
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Key idea 1 of 7
Aristotle had a turbulent life and only produced the work for which he is remembered during his final 12 years.
It is easier to list the subjects Aristotle didn’t write about than the subjects he did. What is “being?” Why do animals behave the way they do? What’s the best political system? How do you live well? These are just some of the questions Aristotle attempted to answer.
Each of those attempts helped lay the foundations for a scholarly discipline. Without Aristotle, it is hard to imagine the development of metaphysics, zoology, political philosophy, or ethics.
Sure, this is an intimidating résumé, but late bloomers, take heart! All the work he is known for was produced late in life.
But before we jump into some of the intricacies of his work, let’s pose a different question. Just who was this extraordinarily prolific and influential person?
The key message in this blink is: Aristotle had a turbulent life and only produced the work for which he is remembered during his final 12 years.
Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in Stageira, a city-state in northern Greece. His childhood was disrupted in his thirteenth year when both his father and mother died. This was a time of great turbulence in the Greek-speaking world, and Aristotle was uprooted by the increasing military strife.
At the age of 17, he arrived in Athens, Ancient Greece’s center of learning and culture. There, he enrolled in Plato’s Academy, the first university in the Western world. Aristotle spent the next two decades learning from Plato, the greatest philosopher of his day.
When Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and moved to a small kingdom in today’s Anatolia. He lived mainly in the cities of Atarneus and Assos. He married Pythias, the daughter of the kingdom’s ruler, Hermias. During this happy period, he spent a great deal of time studying the wildlife on the island of Lesbos.
Then, in 343 BCE, everything changed. Philip II, the king of Macedonia, summoned Aristotle to teach his youngest son, Alexander, later known as Alexander the Great. Aristotle appears to have found court life, with all its intrigue and treachery, distasteful. After Philip was assassinated and Alexander became king, Aristotle returned to Athens.
There he spent the final 12 years of his life. It was an extraordinarily productive period. Every work for which he is remembered, not to mention the 130 texts that have been lost, was written during this golden period.
The philosopher Robert J. Anderson wrote, “There is no ancient thinker who can speak more directly to the concerns and anxieties of contemporary life” than Aristotle. Anderson was right, as we’ll find out in the following blinks.
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What is Aristotle’s Way about?
Aristotle’s Way (2018) is a study of Aristotle, philosopher and polymath of Ancient Greece – but it’s not a scholarly guide to a historical artifact. Aristotle is simply far too alive to be relegated to that category. Friendship, happiness, talking, thinking, and living well were Aristotle’s great concerns. And what he had to say about those topics remains every bit as relevant today as it was when he first started exploring them some 2,500 years ago.
Aristotle’s Way Review
Aristotle’s Way (2018) is a thought-provoking exploration of Aristotle’s teachings and how they can be applied to our modern lives. Here's why you should read it:
- It presents practical wisdom that can be used to navigate life's challenges and make informed decisions, helping us lead more fulfilling lives.
- By examining Aristotle's ideas on topics such as happiness, friendship, and self-improvement, the book provides valuable insights for personal growth and self-reflection.
- The author weaves together anecdotes from ancient times and contemporary examples to illustrate Aristotle's principles, keeping the book engaging and relatable.
Best quote from Aristotle’s Way
If you believe that the goal of human life is to maximize happiness, then you are a budding Aristotelian.
—Edith Hall
Who should read Aristotle’s Way?
- Old-school self-helpers
- Miserabilists ready for some happiness
- Job-hunters struggling with their cover letters
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Aristotle’s Way FAQs
What is the main message of Aristotle’s Way?
The main message of Aristotle’s Way is to live a flourishing life by embracing virtue and pursuing meaningful goals.
How long does it take to read Aristotle’s Way?
The reading time for Aristotle’s Way varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Aristotle’s Way a good book? Is it worth reading?
Aristotle’s Way is a captivating read that offers timeless wisdom on how to live a fulfilling life. Highly recommended!
Who is the author of Aristotle’s Way?
The author of Aristotle’s Way is Edith Hall.
What to read after Aristotle’s Way?
If you're wondering what to read next after Aristotle’s Way, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Art of Rhetoric by Aristotle
- How to Be an Epicurean by Catherine Wilson
- Politics by Aristotle
- The Art of Living by Epictetus
- The Republic by Plato
- Mythos by Stephen Fry
- The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
- The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph Henrich
- How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson