Aristotle on the perfect life

By Anthony Kenny

Book Description

For centuries, seekers have turned to Aristotle's wisdom to understand what constitutes a truly fulfilling existence. Yet modern readers often find themselves caught in a philosophical puzzle: did the great thinker believe happiness comes through practicing all virtues, or does supreme fulfillment arise only through contemplative reflection?

Anthony Kenny, a distinguished philosopher who has shaped this debate for decades, offers fresh insights into this enduring question. Drawing from his extensive scholarship, Kenny examines both of Aristotle's major ethical works, arguing that the lesser-known Eudemian Ethics deserves equal consideration alongside the famous Nicomachean Ethics when seeking to understand Aristotle's complete vision.

This scholarly exploration reveals how these two treatises complement rather than contradict each other, providing a more comprehensive understanding of ancient wisdom about human flourishing. Kenny demonstrates that by embracing both works, readers can appreciate Aristotle's full teaching without forcing interpretations that distort the original texts.

For those seeking philosophical guidance on living well, this book offers a thoughtful examination of timeless questions about virtue, contemplation, and the nature of genuine happiness. Kenny's careful analysis helps bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary spiritual inquiry, making Aristotelian insights accessible to modern seekers exploring what it means to live a complete and meaningful life.

Through rigorous scholarship presented with clarity, this work illuminates pathways to understanding one of philosophy's most enduring questions about human fulfillment.