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Original poster

what does Aristotelian mean?

20 replies

hatwoman · 04/12/2009 18:28

I have a degree in philosophy ffs. and I don't know. Can anyone give me a one-line definition? Anyone who says "Pertaining to Aristotle" will not be getting biscuits.

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Heated · 04/12/2009 18:30

In what context?

WilfSell · 04/12/2009 18:30

I usually interpret this as referring to Aristotle's notion of hierarchical universal order? Based on idea of innate 'spirit' or summat. With stones having less than dogs, dogs less than women, women less than slaves, man up there high with God on top?

But that could be just a flighty 'only use it when I need to' social sciencey interpretation. I'm sure it is MUCH more complicated.

ABetaDad · 04/12/2009 18:34

Oooh look what I found on Google.

Aristotelian Society

I bet they would know.

Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 18:34

you really want to know the context? it's a comment that a certain approach to the concept of equality is Aristotelian

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Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 18:35

ABetaDad - I found them and, tbh, a preliminary glance didn;t seem to indicate the existence of a quick definition.I'm guessing that the Aristotelian Society doesn;t believe in quick definitions...I'll go and have a nother look

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yama · 04/12/2009 18:40

Aristotle talked about a person's virtues didn't he? The Golden Mean.

Actions are not deemed moral or immoral in themselves, rather one would ascertain if something was right or wrong based on what a virtuous person would do.

Right, my memory bank is now exhausted so I must have a rest.

Ps, sorry I know I haven't helped.

WilfSell · 04/12/2009 18:40

Perhaps not 'spirit. Something biological.

I don't really know

But the 'great chain of being' is him isn't it?

midnightexpress · 04/12/2009 18:42

According to my dictionary it means, as well as just 'pertaining to Aristotle', 'incorporating such of his doctrines as the distinctions between matter and form, and substance and accident, or the primacy of individuals over universals'.

Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 18:52

is that hard stare because I didn't look it up in the dictionary? my dictionary is pants. the Aristotelian Society is pants and Wikipedia is pants.

Do you think it might mean "not-actually-a-lot-and-this-sentence-would probably-be as good-without-it-and-almost-certainly-better-with-something-else-that-successully-conveyed-meaning-to -the-reader-but-it-makes-me-sound-clever"?

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Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 18:54

I have another question...what on earth is that "e" doing there? why isn;t it Aristotlian? (and no, I not procrastinating)

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midnightexpress · 04/12/2009 19:04

yes (@ dictionary. I am a lexicographer so take a dim view of rubbish dictionaries) and yes (@ probably a redundant-but-clever-sounding sort of a word).

And as for the 'e', I suspect it may have summat to do with its etymology. We probably took it from French (where he is known as 'Aristote'), though I note that the French for 'aristotelian' is 'aristotelicien' (with an acute accent on the first e), so that may be complete bollox.

Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 19:10

ooo you've just given me an idea for my Christmas list...maybe Father Christmas would like to bring me a good dictionary...

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midnightexpress · 04/12/2009 19:27

It'll be satisfyinɡly substantial. But you'd better be quick before it's all electronic

midnightexpress · 04/12/2009 19:27

Ooops sorry. Toggled my keyboard.

Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 19:48

frowns at the idea of an electronic dictionary...remembers fondly collaborative moments of pouring over Chambers with my former colleague. It got us off our computers and away from our desks...we used to stand-up and talk...

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Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 21:16

midnight - you seem knowledgeable about such things - if I were to ask FC is this what you'd recommend?

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midnightexpress · 04/12/2009 21:27

Well, I guess it depends what you're after. I love Chambers for its wit, but I can tell you that some of their pronunciations are a bit, well, Scottish. Nowt wrong with that, but if it's important to you, then be aware of it. They're also good on regional stuff, esp. Scottish dialect words. If you're getting a print edition, this is likely to be the last, as they're closing the offices at the end of the year, and, I fear, are unlikely to be publishing substantially updated editions in future (so perhaps worth considering as a collector's item ). I also like the Collins English Dictionary for this size of text, and I'm sure the Oxford Shorter or similar is also worth a butcher's.

The online subscription titles are soulless and depressing, but they are pretty comprehensive too. And very handy, damn them.

Or there's always this, but Santa's sleigh might not appreciate it. Nor indeed, your bank manager.

midnightexpress · 04/12/2009 21:30

even better

Original poster
hatwoman · 04/12/2009 22:09

dh was already muttering along the lines of "I don;t want to seem tight-fisted but why buy a dictionary when you can get it all for free on-line". I think £3k might be just a tad out of his budget (but could be used to persaude him what a bargain teh others are...)

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Toots · 14/12/2009 17:54

Too sad about Chambers. Must replace my fally apart over 20 year old one.

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