Summary
Aristotle's *Metaphysics* investigates the first principles and causes of existing things, functioning as a "first philosophy" that examines being qua being. This translation emphasizes accuracy and consistency, offering a complete rendering of the text alongside extensive annotation and commentary. The book aims to understand the nature of reality by exploring its fundamental constituents and their relationships.
The work is structured to guide readers through its complex arguments, with sequentially numbered endnotes providing crucial information at specific points. A detailed Index of Terms facilitates navigation to focused discussions of key concepts. The accompanying Introduction clarifies the book's subject matter, objectives, methodology, and intended audience, preparing readers for an in-depth study of the foundational aspects of existence.
Key concepts
- First principles — The fundamental reasons or origins from which things arise.
- Causes — The factors that bring about or explain the existence or nature of things.
- Being qua being — The study of existence itself, considered in its most general and essential aspects.
- First philosophy — The branch of philosophy that investigates the most fundamental principles and highest causes of reality.
- Index of Terms — A navigational tool within the book that directs readers to specific discussions of key concepts.
From the book
Description: This new translation of Aristotle's Metaphysics in its entirety is a model of accuracy and consistency, presented with a wealth of annotation and commentary. Sequentially numbered endnotes provide the information most needed at each juncture, while a detailed Index of Terms guides the reader to places where focused discussion of key notions occurs. An illuminating general Introduction describes the book that lies ahead, explaining what it is about, what it is trying to do, how it goes about doing it, and what sort of audience it presupposes.
Snippet: An illuminating general Introduction describes the book that lies ahead, explaining what it is about, what it is trying to do, how it goes about doing it, and what sort of audience it presupposes.