Self Directed Study in Philosophy | Aristotle's Works and Thought | Sadler's Advice

[@GregoryBSadler]

Amazing to me that anyone would have a thumbs-down for a video that hasn't yet aired. I guess some people don't like Aristotle?

[@GregoryBSadler]

@@chickensguys Dumb of them to give a thumbs down for that.

[@selftaughtpolyglot]

Don't worry, Dr. SADLER. There are some haters out there who only do these things to survive.

[@GregoryBSadler]

@@selftaughtpolyglot Yeah - they definitely are weirdos!

[@Luke-gq7du]

You'll get dislikes for the silliest things, things that you cannot control.

[@charliedebunc6289]

Gregory B. Sadler Thank you so much...you are a true scholar.

[@rogerevans9666]

I have recommended you to my younger sister who teaches philosophy at a community college.

[@deserthorsedude]

Thank you for this introductory video on Aristotle and his works. The highlevel overivew and tips on where to begin and the approach to reading you suggested are quite helpful. As you mention, approaching Aristotle for this first time is quite intimidating. Your kind words of encouragement are most helpful. "You will find it quite rewarding." Good to hear that encouragement.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad the video proved helpful and encouraging for you

[@tahsinaladag1515]

Great video. I remember Heidegger saying something along the lines "If you want to understand my work, you have to study Aristotle for at least 10 years" which what made me go back to Aristotle. This video is incredibly helpful for that. Thank you!

[@GregoryBSadler]

Yeah, he's supposed to have said that. He might have been setting the bar a bit too high on that one, though!

[@Deantrey]

He says something like that in I think What is Called Thinking. But he's not talking about his own work, he's talking about Nietzsche. He suggests that they read Aristotle for 10-15 years and then read Nietzsche.

[@sebastianporcelcontreras6880]

Thank you so much, I could not find any other brave professor having a complete course on Aristotle, which I need so much.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome!

[@webb4158]

Perfect timing, I just started the Nicomachean Ethics a couple days ago. Your core concepts videos (as usual) have been a great supplement.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad they've been useful

[@KushKussh]

Yes dude, perfect timing i feel you, love the cores

[@leandroorodrigues]

Congrats! I watched the whole video, yours tips are helpful, mainly, for people who are starting in philosophy's world. Greetings from Brazil, São Paulo.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad it was useful for you!

[@edamameedamame1202]

This guide is so clear and helpful. I am reading Aristotle again after I turned 55 so I thank you very much Dr. Sadler. Time for “arete”.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're very welcome!

[@AshInTrees]

Thank you Dr. Sadler. Your videos have greatly enriched my life over the past few years. This Self Directed Study series is especially good.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad they're helpful for you

[@Niotis105]

Dr. Sadler thank you so much for these videos. I'm new to Philosophy and I'm glad that there is KZbin and People like you to give us lectures (University Lectures) on matters of interest for me/us who could not attend the University for several reasons. Such is the beauty of technology. Ουκ εν τω πολλώ το ευ, αλλ’ εν τω ευ το πολύ.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Yes, having the internet is a game-changer for education

[@aidan_arvizu]

To anyone who doesn’t know where to start: (coming from a self-studying beginner) For me, someone who has gotten to know Plato pretty well after reading Euthypro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and bits of the Republic, I’ve gotten to know the doctrines pretty well. A good place to start if this is your case is with On Length and Shortness of Life. After that, you can go to On Youth, Old Age, Life and Death, and Respiration. You will probably be lost at points, but that’s pretty unavoidable with Aristotle I’ve come to find. Starting with Categories was not enjoyable because I was so lost and ended up annotating every line of every page. After reading more of his works, (depending on translations, I personally have the Complete Works Oxford Translation, which consists of translations done by different people at different times) his way of thinking and his use of language becomes clearer. Just thought I’d share a bit of advice, I’m still at the beginning of my philosophical journey with ancient texts! I love your videos Dr. Sadler! They’ve been a great aid during quarantine. Thank you for the fantastic free resources.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome!

[@jackk9366]

Where were you two years ago! This is the exact kind of content I always needed. Thank you!

[@GregoryBSadler]

I’ve been on KZbin for about 10 years now

[@Icaruss789]

I've always been interested in Aristotle since he's called in the Islamic world "The first Master". this was quite helpful. Thanks, Mr.Sadler.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome!

[@timkeefe5676]

One other very important thing concerning reading Aristotle: his life and historical context. Particularly for works like the De Anima, Metaphysics, and Politics, superimposing modern, 21st century understanding of the topics he addresses can often lead to confusion. The De Anima is the Latin translation of the Greek "Peri Psyche," and "psyche" is not the Christian conception of "soul." Rather, it's a life force for the individual organism. In the Metaphysics, the "prime mover" or "unmoved mover" is not the Christian conception of God, even though the mover is itself is, according to Aristotle, immortal and unchanging. In the Politics, Aristotle has a good deal to say about democracy, but in a vastly different sense than what we'd call "democracy" today. And, Aristotle isn't a fan of democracy, for reasons he elucidates in the Politics. Bottom line . . . as with Plato and other philosophers in the history of philosophy, one must be careful not to take things out of the historical context, even though many of the topics they discuss are still relevant for us today.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Yep. I mentioned not reading things in

[@mburkhart41]

I came here for recommendation on where to start reading Aristotle. Great introduction!

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad you found it useful

[@mindcache5650]

This work is excellent. One of the reasons I’m studying philosophy is that most, if not all, ‘ self- help gurus’ have just copied and pasted philosophical works to make money. They can do this because they can’t be sued as the ancient philosophers are dead.

[@GregoryBSadler]

I would say most of the self-helper gurus I've seen haven't really read that much, let alone much ancient philosophy

[@gp365y]

I've just begun reading Edith Hall's new book on Aristotle. Amazing read so far. Has anyone else here looked at it?

[@JOHNSMITH-ve3rq]

Wonderful stuff, Greg!

[@GregoryBSadler]

Thanks!

[@paulamcnama1499]

Thankyou Mr.Sadler x

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome

[@joydip328]

Thank you sir for your helpful guidance.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome!

[@Paryatanfoundation]

I am from india , have been studying philosophy , very nice lecture ,

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Paryatanfoundation]

@@GregoryBSadler respected sir how we can contact you , ??

[@GregoryBSadler]

@@Paryatanfoundation Same way as for any KZbin channel. Go to the About page

[@jphanson]

Thank you for this video.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome!

[@carlosrangel3986]

your videos are so well

[@GregoryBSadler]

Not sure what that means, but I imagine it's positive - thanks

[@carlosrangel3986]

@@GregoryBSadler sorry i am mexican my english are not so good

[@SgtPwnVids]

This is a great video! You may have already implemented this in later videos, but timestamps would be very helpful :) just to break up the sections

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad you enjoy it. Not looking for advice

[@childintime6453]

this kind of video on Hegel would be great

[@GregoryBSadler]

Yes, and on so many others. When I have the time, I plan to get to doing more

[@xyoungdipsetx]

Thank you for this advice

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome

[@adamerwin1206]

Nice job sir, thank you

[@GregoryBSadler]

you're welcome!

[@xleo4096]

Thank you so much professor.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're very welcome

[@nancytoulouse6973]

Thank you!

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome

[@dantheman6008]

I appreciate this video as a bit of advice for my own teaching. Teaching my first course (intro to phil) this spring and have been trying to decide which way i want to start with aristotle. I was leaning toward the four causes portion of the metaphysics, but I think that I will focus on his discussion of friendship in the Nichomachean Ethics. Not sure if you have any further insight about a good place to get students into aristotle? Its a 1.5 month bullet course.

[@GregoryBSadler]

I don't know what a "bullet course is". I've done various bits of texts with Intro students from semester to semester. Metaphysics book 1 has some good themes to it, and you can show them Aristotle engaging with his predecessors. NE 8-9 is something they always enjoy, since it's quite relatable to the present. I've also done parts of the Topics, and other portions of the NE with them. In some other classes, I've done the Poetics and parts of the Rhetoric, or even Politics book 1

[@pastakkkkk470]

I have 2 questions : 1. How important do you believe, aside from a history of science perspective, his works on biology are ? Is his ethical perspective anchored so deeply in biology that it requires a close reading of these works ? I am sure it wouldn't hurt to read them, but since they are quite long and not scientifically sound, it is quite a time investment. 2. Do you believe that Brentano's work on Aristotle are any good for understanding Aristotle in himself (and not, say, Heideggers reading of Aristotle) ? I am intending to write a master's thesis on the Categories.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You can read the ethical-political works apart from the biological works. You'll see that when you read them. Brentano is worth reading for his own sake.

[@mburkhart41]

You'll be rewarded if watch the entire video. I'm taking another crack at Nicomachean Ethics better armed and with more patience, hopefully!

[@antoninolombardo9250]

Hi Professor, I like the video and I appreciate your channel; I’m glad there’s someone who has gone down a path I’d like to go down who’s willing to share their hard-earned wisdom. With your experience in mind, I’d like to ask a few questions: Do you think that philosophical systems exist? If so, do you think that they have a hierarchical structure? If so, do you think it would be fruitful to read a philosopher’s works according to the structure of their philosophical system? I ask this because I read somewhere that most philosophers construct a system, that each system is comprised of fields of inquiry, and that the answers that come from these inquiries support the answers that come from the other inquiries. Thus, metaphysical answers support epistemological answers which support ethical answers which support political answers, etc. I’m sure you’re a busy man so even the briefest of responses is appreciated; and if you don’t respond to such a long comment, no offense taken. Thanks

[@GregoryBSadler]

Some philosophers have systems, some don't. Sometimes it can be reflected in the nature of their works, sometimes not. You can study philosophy in a variety of ways.

[@justanobserver8617]

This is a little off topic, but something you said at the end there caught my attention. You said you didn't appreciate Aristotle until you studied him in Greek. Any tips on self directed study in the Greek language? I suspect self study of Greek is going to be quite limited, but if you had any tips, I would love to hear them. Thanks.

[@GregoryBSadler]

I'm afraid not. The ways I tend to learn languages aren't usually that workable for others

[@maximum8302]

Does anyone know where i can buy the complete organon of Aristotle?

[@GregoryBSadler]

Yes, in any Aristotle complete works. You've got links to those in the video description itself. There is of course, no work, called the "organon", but rather a bunch of works typically associated together

[@maximum8302]

@@GregoryBSadler Thank you!

[@andrewn8178]

Hello, Prof. Sadler. Have you heard of Brazilian philosopher Olavo de Carvalho ? According to him, four of Aristotle's works reflect a chronology of human development -- both on a collective and on an individual basis. The stages are: poetics, rhetoric, dielectics (topics) and logic (analitycs). Have you heard of such chronology or perioditization before ? Have you heard of someone else elaborating on that kind of theory ? Thank you.

[@GregoryBSadler]

There's lots of similar schematizations, not only of Aristotle, but of alls sorts of other thinkers. Based on my past experience with that sort of thing, I'd say expect it to be wrong.

[@andrewn8178]

@@GregoryBSadler Thank you.

[@armandvista]

Do you recommend watching philosophy lectures about Aristotle and the specific text before beginning to read him?

[@MichaelJimenez416]

Armand Babakhanian I cannot speak for professor Sadler, but I would highly suggest reading the primary text prior to consulting any secondary material

[@GregoryBSadler]

I'd say give the book - if it's short - a first read, then start going to secondary sources. And then hit the book again. If it's a long, long work, like the Nicomachean Ethics, maybe read a book or two of the work, and then watch the videos, and then go back - then go on to the next book or two.

[@edemont333]

This is my new favorite series. Thank you for your time.

[@GregoryBSadler]

@@edemont333 You're welcome!

[@timesn7774]

Does Aristotles Logic being outdated or outdone discredit his methodology and reliability as a good source of discovering things on our own? (coming to conclusions in general) Well atleast in relation to objective things. I'm not entirely sure the best way to elaborate on what i mean.. I kind of assumed that fundamentally he is a proponent discovery (or knowledge) by the senses, and experience and further to non contradiction etc or similar to the scientific method to discovery. Basically I came to read Aristotle to ground myself in some type of method that would help me understand the world i live in and come to conclusions on my own and armed with my senses and mind. So i started with metaphysics. I was immediately impressed and now almost finished.

[@GregoryBSadler]

No

[@timesn7774]

@@GregoryBSadler Thank you!

[@eogh]

Are new Aristotlians similar to modern Stoics? On a side, can Aristotle philosophy be a “philosophy for life” like modern stoicism and Epicureanism? Love the video.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Similar in what ways?

[@eogh]

Gregory B. Sadler I suppose I see modern stoicism as taking stoicism and making it a guide to life, how to think, act and techniques such as negative imagination. Do neo Aristotle do the same?

[@GregoryBSadler]

@@eogh So . . . ancient Stoicism was a guide to life. Modern Stoicism isn't different in that respect. And yes, contemporary interpreters of Aristotle have been doing that publicly for decades. There's a vast literature out there on it waiting at your fingertips for you to start doing searches

[@eogh]

Gregory B. Sadler thank you very much. Currently reading N.Ethics and your videos very helpful I subbed on Patreon. Thanks again.

[@francescomanuguerra7018]

Hello Dr. Sadler , greetings from Italy. I have a question regarding whether or not I should start reading Aristotle with a small amount of knowledge and later watch your lectures about him or do you recommend instead to watch your lectures about Aristotle first then proceed reading Sorry I realized someone already made the same question

[@GregoryBSadler]

Always start reading

[@johndoe767-c6l]

Professor Sadler, thank you for your videos and lectures. I wanted to ask you, and this may be a silly question- I started reading his Physics. Do I need to have a solid knowledge of modern physics and its development in order to understand this work? Or, can I grasp his concepts and thinking in this work if I, which is the case, do not know very well physics as a scince?

[@GregoryBSadler]

In reading Aristotle’s Physics, you’re reading what was that science at that time

[@johndoe767-c6l]

@@GregoryBSadler Thank you.

[@gp365y]

Who do you like more Aristotle or the Stoics?

[@GregoryBSadler]

Both

[@kolamoose8717]

Do you have any thoughts on the Islamic commentators when it comes to self directed study?

[@GregoryBSadler]

Nope

[@eduardosimurgisrael4663]

Thank you! I love Aristotle I read some of his books the organon and ethics and did not understand one thing but then all of a sudden a text from the Nicomachean ethics would hit me and then I notice my thinking start to brush up or clear and it was hard form me to just believe things with out thinking .Thank you this is very useful!

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad it was helpful for you

[@jackhamilton1700]

Hi Dr.Sadler. I wanna start reading Aristotle. Which one of his books do you think I should start with?

[@GregoryBSadler]

Jack Hamilton covered in the video, I think

[@jancoil4886]

It should not be that amazing. We have editors who do not read the books they review, politicians who do not read the laws they vote on, and alot of us who do not always practice what we preach to others.

[@GregoryBSadler]

No idea what you're on about here.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Oh I see - you want to use reply, rather than starting a new comment, when you're replying to a comment

[@reveranttangent1771]

To the extent that Western philosophy can be described as a series of footnotes to Plato, Western science can be described as a series of footnotes to Aristotle.

[@GregoryBSadler]

The extent for both of those - when we're not just playing with funny quotes, and we're actually doing solid study of philosophy - is zero.

[@reveranttangent1771]

@@GregoryBSadler it was meant as a joke anyway.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Gotta work on your material. . .

[@reflectivebreeze]

i tried metaphysics first ....and u told my story .....🤪

[@GregoryBSadler]

Hahaha! Yes, it's a tough one

[@apostalote]

ecstasy the way Doesn't help that there are some translation of Metaphysics that are god awful

[@timesn7774]

I started with metaphysics hahah funny how i feel like everything else i read is immediately easier