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Makes the case that the different stances Aristotle and Socrates take toward politics can be traced to their divergent accounts of friendship.
Aristotle's Quarrel with Socrates is an account of the role friendship plays in ancient political thought. Examining Platonic dialogues and Aristotle's ethical and political treatises, John Boersma makes the case that the different stances Aristotle and Socrates take toward politics can be traced to their divergent accounts of friendship. Aristotle's Quarrel with Socrates brings to the fore the tension that exists between the philosophic life as exemplified by Socrates and the life devoted to politics. It goes on to argue that Aristotle's account of a friendship of the good, based on human excellence, can reduce, not to say eliminate, this tension, enabling the development of a political community that is organized for action in history.
"The book is very readable and clearly written, and will provoke discussion. It is a historically oriented philosophical work with contemporary significance." — CHOICE
"In addition to providing rigorous and original interpretations of four important texts of Greek political thought, Boersma presents an encouraging resolution to the age-old friction between philosophy and politics: friendship. This pre-political concept, he powerfully argues, guides the relation of philosopher and statesman to work together in preserving a flourishing political culture. Clear and balanced, this book's arguments demand the attention of scholars who study these texts and ideas." — Michael Promisel, Catholic University of America
Acknowledgments
Introduction Politics, Philosophy, and Friendship
1. Socratic Friendship and Man's Desire for the Good: Lysis
2. Socratic Citizenship
3. Aristotle's Friendship of the Good
4. The Metaphysical Foundations of Friendship
5. Friendship and the Practice of Politics
Conclusion Friendship in the American Constitutional Republic
Notes
Bibliography
Index