In the remaining sections of the Appendix, not dealing with Aristotle, the short account of Epikurus aims at setting in its true light a much-maligned system of thought. On writing it, in 1867, Mr. Grote remarked that the last word had not yet been said on Epikurus. The ethical part of the sketch was printed at the time:[4] the whole is now given. More fragmentary is the notice of the Stoics, as merely replacing passages that he considered inadequate in a sketch submitted to him. Since it formed part of his entire design to add to the treatment of Aristotle a full exposition both of Stoic and Epikurean doctrines, considered as the outgrowth of the Cynic and Kyrenaic theories already handled at the end of the ‘Plato,’ the two fragments may not unfitly close the present work.
[4] Also in the ‘Manual of Mental and Moral Science,’ among ‘Ethical Systems.’
Taken altogether, the two volumes are undoubtedly a most important contribution to the history of ancient thought. As regards Aristotle, the author’s design must be gathered chiefly from the first eleven chapters, — begun as these were in 1865, and proceeded with in their order, till he was overtaken, in the act of composing the last, by the insidious malady which, after six months, finally carried him off. Perhaps the most striking feature in the exposition of the Organon, is the very full analysis given of the long treatise called Topica. While the other treatises have all, more or less, been drawn upon for the ordinary theory of Logic, the Topica, with its mixed logical and rhetorical bearings, has ceased to be embodied in modern schemes of discipline or study. Mr. Grote’s profound interest in everything pertaining to Dialectic drew him especially to this work, as the exhibition in detail of that habit of methodized discussion so deeply rooted in the Hellenic mind. And in the same connection it may be noted how the natural course of his work brought him, in the last months of his intellectual activity, to tread again old and familiar ground. A plea — this time against Aristotle — for the decried Sophists, and, once more, a picture of that dialectical mission of Sokrates which for him had an imperishable charm, were among the very last efforts of his pen.
Besides making up the Second Volume from the end of Chapter XI., the editors have, throughout the whole work, bestowed much attention on the notes and references set down by the author with his usual copious minuteness. It was deemed advisable to subject these everywhere to a detailed verification; and, though the editors speak on the matter with a diffidence best understood by those who may have undergone a similar labour, it is hoped that a result not unworthy of the author has been attained. In different places additional references have been supplied, either where there was an obvious omission on the author’s part, or in farther confirmation of his views given in the text: such references, mostly to the works of Aristotle himself, it has not been thought necessary to signalize. Where, as once or twice in the Appendix, a longer note in explanation seemed called for, this has been printed within square brackets.
From the text some passages, where the iterations seemed excessive, have been withheld, but only such as it was thought the author would himself have struck out upon revision: wherever there was evidence that revision had been made, the iterations, freely employed for emphasis, have been allowed to stand. On rare occasions, interpolations and verbal changes have been made with the view of bringing out more clearly the meaning sought to be conveyed. It is impossible to be more deeply sensible than the editors are, of the responsibility they have thus incurred; but they have been guided by their very respect for the venerable author, and they were fortunate in the many opportunities they enjoyed of learning from his own lips the cast of his views on Aristotle.[5]
[5] It is but due to the younger editor to state that the heaviest part of all the work here indicated has been done by him. — A. B.
An index has been drawn up with some care; as was needful, if meant to be of real service to the readers of so elaborate a work.
It only remains to add that in printing the Greek of the notes, &c., the text of Waitz has been followed for the Organon (everywhere short of the beginning); the text of Bonitz, for the Metaphysica; and for other works of Aristotle, generally the Berlin edition. Regard was had, as far as the editors’ knowledge went, to the author’s own preferences in his reading.
CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| LIFE OF ARISTOTLE | 1 |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| ARISTOTELIAN CANON | 27 |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| CATEGORIÆ | 54 |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| DE INTERPRETATIONE | 108 |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| ANALYTICA PRIORA I. | 139 |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| ANALYTICA PRIORA II. | 171 |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| ANALYTICA POSTERIORA I. | 207 |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| ANALYTICA POSTERIORA II. | 238 |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| TOPICA (I.-VIII.) | 262 |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| SOPHISTICI ELENCHI | 376 |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| PHYSICA AND METAPHYSICA | 422 |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| DE ANIMÂ, ETC. | 446 |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| ETHICA | 494 |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| POLITICA | 539 |
APPENDIX | |
| [I. THE DOCTRINE OF UNIVERSALS ] | 551 |
| [II. FIRST PRINCIPLES:] | |
| A. Sir William Hamilton on Aristotle’s Doctrine | 565 |
| B. Aristotle’s Doctrine | [573] |
| [III. METAPHYSICA:] | |
| Book Γ. | 583 |
| Book E. | [592] |
| Book Ζ. | [594] |
| Book Η. | [609] |
| Book Θ. | [613] |
| Book Λ. | [619] |
| [IV. DE CÅ’LO:] | |
| Book I. | 630 |
| Book II. | [639] |
| [V. EPIKURUS] | 654 |
| [VI. THE STOICS. — A FRAGMENT] | 660 |