Oxford World's Classics: Nicomachean Ethics - Softcover

"Very useful as a cornerstone for our discussion of ethics and the Western moral tradition. The translation is elegant."--Dominic A. Aquila, Rochester Institute of Technology "A fine translation of an essential classic in the field of ethics."--Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin "The index is extremely helpful. The 'contents' are also a helpful tool. The numbering and division titles also make this book a little easier to teach."--Rose Marie Surwilo, College of St. Francis "Very useful text of Aristotle: the translation presents no pitfalls to a beginning student; the editor's organization is useful but unitrusive; and finally, the cost is perfect."--Nickolas O. Papas, Hollins College "An excellent translation and edition."--Winfield J.C. Myers, University of Georgia "Most lucid and accessible edition popularly available."--John L. Hemingway, Washington State University "Very useful as a cornerstone for our discussion of ethics and the Western moral tradition. The translation is elegant."--Dominic A. Aquila, Rochester Institute of Technology "A fine translation of an essential classic in the field of ethics."--Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin "The index is extremely helpful. The 'contents' are also a helpful tool. The numbering and division titles also make this book a little easier to teach."--Rose Marie Surwilo, College of St. Francis "Very useful text of Aristotle: the translation presents no pitfalls to a beginning student; the editor's organization is useful but unitrusive; and finally, the cost is perfect."--Nickolas O. Papas, Hollins College "An excellent translation and edition."--Winfield J.C. Myers, University of Georgia "Most lucid and accessible edition popularly available."--John L. Hemingway, Washington State University "Very useful as a cornerstone for our discussion of ethics and the Western moral tradition. The translation is elegant."--Dominic A. Aquila, Rochester Institute of Technology "A fine translation of an essential classic in the field of ethics."--Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin "The index is extremely helpful. The 'contents' are also a helpful tool. The numbering and division titles also make this book a little easier to teach."--Rose Marie Surwilo, College of St. Francis "Very useful text of Aristotle: the translation presents no pitfalls to a beginning student; the editor's organization is useful but unitrusive; and finally, the cost is perfect."--Nickolas O. Papas, Hollins College "An excellent translation and edition."--Winfield J.C. Myers, University of Georgia "Most lucid and accessible edition popularly available."--John L. Hemingway, Washington State University "Very useful as a cornerstone for our discussion of ethics and the Western moral tradition. The translation is elegant."--Dominic A. Aquila, Rochester Institute of Technology "A fine translation of an essential classic in the field of ethics."--Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin "The index is extremely helpful. The 'contents' are also a helpful tool. The numbering and division titles also make this book a little easier to teach."--Rose Marie Surwilo, College of St. Francis "Very useful text of Aristotle: the translation presents no pitfalls to a beginning student; the editor's organization is useful but unitrusive; and finally, the cost is perfect."--Nickolas O. Papas, Hollins College "An excellent translation and edition."--Winfield J.C. Myers, University of Georgia "Most lucid and accessible edition popularly available."--John L. Hemingway, Washington State University

Happiness, then, is the best, noblest, and most pleasant thing in the world.' In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle's guiding question is: what is the best thing for a human being? His answer is happiness, but he means, not something we feel, but rather a specially good kind of life. Happiness is made up of activities in which we use the best human capacities, both ones that contribute to our flourishing as members of a community, and ones that allow us to engage in god-like contemplation. Contemporary ethical writings on the role and importance of the moral virtues such as courage and justice have drawn inspiration from this work, which also contains important discussions on responsibility for actions, on the nature of practical reasoning, and on friendship and its role in the best life.