SIR DAVID ROSS ON ARISTOTLE AND THE METAPHYSICS
I will premise this by noting that
this is not a book review. My purpose in this short text is to explain how Ross
approaches Aristotle’s Metaphysics, ousia and the question of Being in his
classical introduction to Aristotle. Aristotle,[1]
now in its sixth edition, and accompanied by a helpful introduction by John L.
Ackrill, was not written for a beginner in philosophy. Rather, notes Ackrill, it can be useful for
general readers who use it to understand elements of Aristotle’s philosophy;
for university students who use it as an introduction to research on Aristotle,
and for professional philosophers (p. ix-x). This book gives a general overview
of Aristotle’s thought. Ross begins with an historical introduction explaining
who Aristotle was, what he wrote, and his views on the authenticity, integrity
and composition of the numerous books that have been attributed to Aristotle.
Following this introduction Ross goes on to introduce the reader to the
important elements of …