What we’re about
We are a Great Books reading and discussion group that specializes in political philosophy. Over the years we have read a wide variety of thinkers, from Plato to Richard Rorty. We are currently reading the works of Friedrich Nietzsche from beginning to end. Our group is open to all comers, so please give us a try!
We meet on the third Thursday of every month at Central Market.
There is a one-page Discussion Guide describing how we work. Click on "More" and "Files" to download.
For more information on the group, including an archive of past readings, go to:
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Join us August 21st for a discussion of Aristotle's PoliticsNeeds location
Reading: Aristotle, Politics
Book II, chapters 11 & 12
Book III chapters 1-4We left off in July at the end of the discussion of Sparta and Crete. What is left of Book II is Aristotle's evaluation of the Carthaginian regime, and his comments on some who, unlike those discussed earlier, became lawgivers, especially Solon of Athens.
Two general questions about Book II remain: what is Aristotle's purpose in pointing out the flaws in these regimes generally considered the most stable and successful, and what does Book II tell us about Aristotle's view of the best regime?Taking the optimistic view we should plan on discussing the first four chapters of Book III, where Aristotle, instead of continuing on the theme of the best regime, takes a step back and launches a new inquiry into the nature of civic justice.
RSVPs will receive a private message with directions to our meeting place in Rice Village.
Here are three translations:
Cairnes Lord -- most commonly used translation in universities today:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANLZ3rQyO4a4kQ5sc-RL2U5IRmHpinX0/view?usp=sharing
Cairnes Lord, the Kindle version:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z1jCLFbE02XOLU1qKljshb9T8kBGnbEk/view?usp=sharingErnest Barker -- the gold standard when I was in school:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AL8sjX-DsQO6fM1Ht-IQuKDw9Hy_Bvfm/view?usp=sharingJoe Sachs -- a recent translation that sticks closely to the Greek and is very helpful with Greek terminology:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A3Px3tYlFaXXJwNbwmS9jG9_oZsXZnvi/view?usp=sharing
