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Mortimer Jerome Adler
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Aristotle for Everybody: Difficult Thought Made Easy Paperback – June 1, 1997

by Mortimer J. Adler (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 359 ratings
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Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C.) taught logic to Alexander the Great and, by virtue of his philosophical works, to every philosopher since, from Marcus Aurelius, to Thomas Aquinas, to Mortimer J. Adler. Now Adler instructs the world in the "uncommon common sense" of Aristotelian logic, presenting Aristotle's understandings in a current, delightfully lucid way. He brings Aristotle's work to an everyday level. By encouraging readers to think philosophically, Adler offers us a unique path to personal insights and understanding of intangibles, such as the difference between wants and needs, the proper way to pursue happiness, and the right plan for a good life.
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  1. Print length
    206 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    June 1, 1997
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.6 x 8.44 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0684838230
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0684838236
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Mortimer J. Adler was Chairman of the Board of the Encyclopedia Britannica, Director of the Institute for Philosophical Research, Honorary Trustee of the Aspen Institute, and authored more than fifty books. He died in 2001.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Touchstone; Reprint edition (June 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 206 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0684838230
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684838236
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.44 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 359 ratings

About the author

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Mortimer Jerome Adler

Mortimer Jerome Adler

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Mortimer Jerome Adler (December 28, 1902 - June 28, 2001) was an American philosopher, educator, and popular author. As a philosopher he worked within the Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions. He lived for the longest stretches in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and San Mateo. He worked for Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Encyclopædia Britannica, and Adler's own Institute for Philosophical Research. Adler was married twice and had four children.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
359 global ratings
Poor quality book construction
2 Stars
Poor quality book construction
Two issues: 1} The book's construction has multiple pages stuck together throughout book (see pic) which I did not notice until after return window expired. In researching further, now see that other reviews address this problem too. 2) Disappointed to discover there are no actual philosophical quotes by Aristotle upon which the author expounds.
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Top reviews from the United States

L. McManus
5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite Read
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
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Loved this book in college. Informative and an easy Aristotle read. Gave it to my brother to read while on his way to Argentina.
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Rick Lee James
5.0 out of 5 stars Huge Help
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
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I am a graduate student taking a course on Ethics and Catholic Moral Theology. I read Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle before reading this and was completely lost. This book was a huge help in understanding Aristotle’s writings. I actually would recommend this as a starting place if you are entering a course on Ethics.
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Massimo Pigliucci
4.0 out of 5 stars A very accessible introduction to a very important thinker
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2009
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Adler's introduction to Aristotle is a must read for anyone interested in beginning to appreciate one of the most influential thinkers of all time. This is written for the general public, and it succeeds marvelously at what it sets out to do (although, for those wanting go deeper, the author includes a second table of contents at the end, with detailed references to original sources). The book covers the major aspects of Aristotle's thought, from his understanding of causality to his ethics, from his discussions of what it means to lead a good life to his concept of god. I found the organization of the book in broad sections, each further subdivided into bite size chapters, very easy on the reader, as it should be. Inevitably, different people will find different parts of the book more engaging than others. In my case I have a preference for Adler's discussion of Aristotle's four causes (early in the book) and how it explains the philosopher's thinking about god as prime mover of the universe (later in the volume). Particularly insightful is Adler's discussion of the difference between the Aristotelian and the Christian conceptions of god. The author strove to avoid technical language, which is admirable in this sort of books. Still, I wish he had left in a few particularly useful Greek words, especially "eudaimonia" (which simply does not translate to the English "happiness") and "akrasia" (weakness of the will). Regardless, a very good choice to get your feet wet in the area of ancient Greek philosophy, or indeed of philosophy more generally.
57 people found this helpful
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Jahangir Jabbarov
5.0 out of 5 stars Aristotle's thoughts about Knowledge, Happiness, Justice and Art
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022
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I bought this book mainly because I was interested in Aristotle's view on happiness and good life. These subjects are treated in part III of this book. I think Mr Adler managed to clearly explain ideas that Aristotle had on universal human needs, their hierarchy and means for a good life.

I also liked Part IV where Mr Adler talks about knowledge, truth, its levels and the ways of establishing it. I think this is a very important subject for ability to think critically and which is often overlooked in secondary schools (and even in colleges).

I liked the three directions that human mind can take explained in chapter 3 - human as a Maker who deals with Art, human as a Doer who deals with Justice and human as a Knower who deals with Truth. This is a helpful way to group the multitude of activities that a person can do today.

As always, Mr Adler has a very clear way of writing, making his main terms, paragraphs and chapters very understandable.
22 people found this helpful
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SpeedReader
5.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to Aristotle
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2022
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This was one of the books required for my Engineering Ethics class when I was in school. Thankfully, it is not as dense as a philosophy book would be, but it does distill Aristotle's teachings into very easily digestible parts. The book is pretty short (at least when compared to a textbook), just under 200 pages, and while I would not say it is as quick a read as a novel, it is not so dense that it takes a long time to get through. I think many people will get the book because it is required for a class, but it is something that someone who is just interested in philosophy without getting too bogged down in the material could enjoy reading.
6 people found this helpful
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TW
3.0 out of 5 stars A Broad yet Undemanding Overview on Aristotle
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2010
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Aristotle for Everybody covers the main elements of Aristotle's philosophy condensed into a straightforward overview. Adler covers all the basics expanding the attitude and thought process of Aristotle into extremely simplified explanations.

Adler's work, despite seemingly noble intentions, accomplishes simplicity at the expense of substance. Adler spoke early of naming this book "Aristotle for Children" instead of its current title and he indubitably would have been better served had he stuck with his first instinct. This book may be of value to early students and teens looking for an introduction to Aristotle, yet even then one might still be better served merely checking Wikipedia, which offers a similar level of stimulation.

Adler is capable and adequately grasps the material, yet for any philosophy enthusiast this book will prove to be far too restrained, essentially only skimming the surface of Aristotle's weighty philosophy.. If you desire to dive into Aristotle but are not yet committed to his full works, I suggest examining some of the cliff notes available that provide better and more pensive discussion on his thoughts yet still maintain a sense of brevity.
24 people found this helpful
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Geoff Puterbaugh
5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Aristotle, at last
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2012
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I have made several runs at Aristotle (trying to understand him), but they all failed until I got this book.

At last, I am beginning to understand Aristotle's idea of the "formal cause," which comes along with his set of four causes. For example, I pick Michelangelo's statue of David.

The "material cause" (strange wording) is: marble.

The "efficient cause" is: Michelangelo.

The "formal cause" is: (here difficulties arise) either the form in Michelangelo's mind, or the form of the male body.

The "final cause" is: Michelangelo's desire to create a supreme work of art.

We moderns don't think this way any more. Is that a plus, or a minus??

In any case, if you want a beginner's course in Aristotle (a man who dominated philosophy for two thousand years or more), this book is highly recommended.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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joyce islip
5.0 out of 5 stars Prompt delivery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2023
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I am thoroughly enjoying this interpretation but it will take time to read as the content needs assimilating- I can recommend this work to everyone!
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Héctor Guillermo Muñoz
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully intuitive introduction to Aristotle
Reviewed in Mexico on December 22, 2018
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Mortimer Adler is a real master of the art of dominating a topic in such a way as to be able to explain it to a six-year old and having him understand. This book is a highly reccomended introduction to Aristotle in plain words and which makes all the sense in the world. I particularly enjoyed his section on the good life and on virtue.
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Second to NUN
3.0 out of 5 stars 思想のための思想？
Reviewed in Japan on October 30, 2008
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この本を読む限りは、人間として生きる息吹
のようなものが感じられず、机上の空論の様に思えた。
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Thomas Aquinas
5.0 out of 5 stars Sound Wisdom for the World
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 2014
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This is an absolute genius of a book. The world is in a mess because of the wrong direction modern philosophy has taken starting with Occam,Descartes and going on to the crazy theories of Kant, Hegel, Hume, Locke. Feuerbach, Marx and most of the post modern madness. In Aristotle there is sanity and Adler explains why. If his teaching became standard in our modern universities the world would be a much happier and safer place.
6 people found this helpful
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ASh
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2013
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Bought this one for my wife when she took a shine to looking into philosophy. Not a novel; you need to read this book when there are few distractions.
5 people found this helpful
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