My Book Review of Politics by Aristotle
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大学生阅读书目英语作文The cultivation of reading is an invaluable habit that enriches the mind, broadens perspectives, and empowers intellectual growth. For university students, immersing themselves in a diverse array of literary works is a profound journey of self-discovery, intellectual nourishment, and the acquisition of invaluable knowledge. The pursuit of a well-rounded education extends far beyond the confines of classroom lectures and assigned textbooks. It is through the exploration of carefully curated reading lists that students can truly unlock the portals of wisdom, engage in thought-provoking dialogues with authors across time and space, and ultimately shape their unique identities as well-informed global citizens.One of the most significant benefits of a comprehensive reading list for university students is the exposure to diverse viewpoints and cultural perspectives. By delving into literary masterpieces from various epochs and civilizations, students gain a profound appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experiences and narratives that have shaped the world as we know it. From the epic tales of ancient civilizations to the contemporary voices of modern authors, each literary work serves as a window into the minds and hearts of individuals who have grappled with universal themes oflove, loss, identity, and the human condition. This exposure fosters empathy, promotes critical thinking, and challenges preconceived notions, ultimately equipping students with the intellectual agility to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.Furthermore, a thoughtfully curated reading list can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and self-reflection. As students delve into the rich narratives and multifaceted characters portrayed in literature, they are invited to engage in profound introspection, questioning their own beliefs, values, and aspirations. Each turn of the page presents an opportunity to confront existential questions, explore alternative perspectives, and ultimately forge a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the world. This process of self-discovery is an essential component of the university experience, nurturing the development of well-rounded individuals who are not only intellectually adept but also emotionally attuned to the complexities of the human experience.Moreover, a robust reading list serves as a foundation for academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. By exposing students to a diverse range of scholarly works, from seminal philosophical treatises to groundbreaking scientific theories, they are equipped with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to engage in rigorous academic discourse. This exposure not only enhances their critical thinking abilities but also fosters a lifelong love for learning andintellectual exploration. As students navigate the multifaceted realms of knowledge, they develop the capacity to synthesize information from various sources, formulate well-reasoned arguments, and contribute to the advancement of human understanding in their respective fields.In an age of rapidly evolving technology and ever-increasing access to information, the cultivation of a reading habit becomes even more crucial. While digital resources offer unprecedented access to knowledge, the art of reading physical books cultivates patience, focus, and depth of engagement that is often lacking in the fleeting world of digital content. The tactile experience of holding a book, turning its pages, and immersing oneself in the author's carefully crafted narrative fosters a deeper connection with the material and nurtures the ability to sustain attention over prolonged periods – a invaluable skill in an era of constant distraction.Ultimately, the pursuit of a well-rounded reading list is not merely an academic exercise but a transformative journey that shapes the minds and souls of university students. Through the exploration of literary masterpieces, scholarly works, and diverse narratives, students are equipped with the intellectual tools, empathy, and self-awareness necessary to navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world. It is a journey that transcends the confines of the classroom, fostering lifelong learners who are not onlyknowledgeable but also intellectually curious, culturally attuned, and emotionally resilient. By embracing the transformative power of reading, university students can unlock their full potential, becoming agents of positive change and catalysts for a more enlightened, compassionate, and intellectually vibrant society.。
孤独的阅读者西方文明简史英文精读全文共3篇示例,供读者参考篇1The Lonely Reader: A Brief History of Western CivilizationIntroductionIn the fast-paced world we live in today, finding time to sit down and read a book can be a luxury. And for those who choose to indulge in the solitude of reading, there is a certain sense of loneliness that can accompany the experience. The act of reading is often seen as a solitary pursuit, with the reader immersing themselves in a world of words and ideas, disconnected from the distractions of everyday life.This sense of isolation is not a recent phenomenon, however. Throughout the history of Western civilization, reading has often been a solitary activity, reserved for those who seek knowledge, enlightenment, or simply a temporary escape from the world around them. From the early days of handwritten manuscripts to the modern era of e-books and audiobooks, the act of reading has always been a solitary pursuit, with the reader left to explore the depths of their own imagination.The Early Days of ReadingIn the early days of Western civilization, reading was a privilege reserved for the elite. Handwritten manuscripts were painstakingly created by scribes, and only the wealthy and educated had access to them. Reading was seen as a mark of intelligence and sophistication, and those who could read were often admired for their knowledge and wisdom.During the Middle Ages, reading became even more isolated, as widespread illiteracy prevented the masses from enjoying the written word. Monks in secluded monasteries spent hours transcribing religious texts, preserving the knowledge of the past for future generations. For these monks, reading was not just a solitary pursuit, but a spiritual one as well, as they sought to connect with the divine through the words of the Bible.The Enlightenment and BeyondWith the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, reading became more accessible to the masses. Books were printed in greater numbers and at a lower cost, allowing more people to enjoy the pleasures of reading. The Enlightenment of the 18th century saw a surge in literacy rates, as people across Europe began to embrace the ideas of reason, science, and intellectual freedom.During this time, reading became even more solitary, as individuals sought to explore new ideas and challenge conventional wisdom. The rise of the novel as a literary form allowed readers to escape into fictional worlds, where they could experience the joys and sorrows of others without ever leaving their own homes. The solitary reader became a common figure in society, lost in the pages of a book and oblivious to the world around them.The Modern Era of ReadingIn the modern era, reading has taken on new forms and formats, from e-books and audiobooks to online forums and social media platforms. Despite these technological advances, the act of reading remains a solitary pursuit for many, as individuals continue to seek solace and enlightenment in the written word.The internet has made it easier than ever for readers to connect with others who share their love of literature, but the experience of reading itself remains a personal one. Whether curled up with a paperback in a cozy armchair or listening to an audiobook on a long commute, the solitary reader continues to explore the vast landscape of human thought and imagination.ConclusionIn a world that is increasingly interconnected and fast-paced, the act of reading remains a solitary pursuit for many. From the early days of handwritten manuscripts to the modern era of digital technology, the solitary reader has always been a figure of mystery and contemplation, seeking knowledge, enlightenment, and escape in the world of words.As we move forward into an uncertain future, the lonely reader will continue to find solace and companionship in the pages of a book, connecting with authors long gone and ideas yet to come. And while the world may change around them, the solitary reader will remain a steadfast figure, lost in the vast expanse of the written word.篇2Title: The Lonely Reader - A Brief History of Western CivilizationIntroductionIn the modern world, with the advancement of technology and the rise of social media, it seems that human beings are more connected than ever. However, paradoxically, many people also feel more isolated and lonely than ever. In this context, the act of reading can be a solitary and introspective activity thatoffers solace to the lonely reader. One such book that has provided comfort and insight to many lonely readers is "A Brief History of Western Civilization" by Luigi Capelli.Chapter 1: The Origins of Western CivilizationThe lonely reader begins their journey through Western civilization with the origins of ancient Greece. Here, they learn about the birth of democracy, philosophy, and the arts. They become immersed in the stories of Homer, the tragedies of Aeschylus and Sophocles, and the philosophical musings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. As they turn the pages, they discover how these ancient thinkers laid the foundation for Western thought and culture.Chapter 2: The Rise of RomeIn the next chapter, the lonely reader follows the rise of the Roman Empire. They marvel at the engineering feats of the Romans, such as the aqueducts and roads. They witness the gladiator battles in the Colosseum and the political intrigue of the Senate. They learn about the contributions of Roman law, literature, and architecture to Western civilization.Chapter 3: The Middle AgesAs the lonely reader delves into the Middle Ages, they encounter the splendor of Gothic cathedrals, the mysticism of Christian monasticism, and the epic tales of knights and damsels. They explore the rise of feudalism, the conflicts between church and state, and the emergence of universities. They come to understand the complexities of medieval society and the enduring influence of the Middle Ages on Western culture.Chapter 4: The RenaissanceIn the Renaissance, the lonely reader witnesses a rebirth of art, science, and humanism. They are captivated by the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. They marvel at the scientific discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. They explore the humanistic ideals of Erasmus, More, and Montaigne. They see how the Renaissance transformed Western civilization and set the stage for the Enlightenment.Chapter 5: The EnlightenmentIn the Enlightenment, the lonely reader encounters a revolution in thought and politics. They learn about the ideas of reason, freedom, and progress. They study the works of Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. They explore the principles of democracy, individual rights, and secularism. They see how theEnlightenment paved the way for modernity and the shaping of the contemporary Western world.Chapter 6: ModernityAs the lonely reader reaches the present day, they confront the complexities of modern Western civilization. They see the impact of industrialization, imperialism, and globalization. They grapple with the challenges of nationalism, capitalism, and environmental degradation. They reflect on the legacy of colonialism, racism, and inequality. They ponder the future of Western civilization in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.ConclusionIn the solitude of reading, the lonely reader embarks on a journey through the history of Western civilization. They discover the richness and complexity of Western thought, culture, and society. They find solace and insight in the pages of "A Brief History of Western Civilization." And they realize that, in the act of reading, they are never truly alone, for they are connected to the timeless wisdom and enduring spirit of Western civilization.篇3The Lonely Reader: A Brief History of Western CivilizationIntroductionIn the fast-paced world of today, it is easy to feel isolated and disconnected from the world around us. However, one way to combat this feeling of loneliness is through reading. Books have the power to transport us to different time periods, cultures, and worlds, allowing us to connect with the thoughts and experiences of others. In this document, we will delve into the key events and developments that have shaped Western civilization, from the ancient Greeks to the present day, through the lens of literature.The Ancient Greeks and the Birth of Western CivilizationThe ancient Greeks were pioneers in the fields of philosophy, drama, and literature, laying the foundation for Western culture as we know it today. From the epic poems of Homer to the dialogues of Plato, their writings continue to influence and inspire readers around the world.One of the most famous works of Greek literature is Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," epic poems that tell the story of the Trojan War and its aftermath. These works are not only exciting tales of heroism and adventure but also explore deep themes of honor, fate, and the human condition.The Golden Age of Rome: A Time of Achievement and DeclineThe Roman Empire was another important civilization in the history of the Western world, known for its military conquests, engineering marvels, and rich literary tradition. Writers such as Virgil, Horace, and Ovid produced timeless works that continue to be studied and admired to this day.Virgil's "Aeneid" is one of the most famous works of Roman literature, telling the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who founds the city of Rome. This epic poem explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the rise of a great civilization, making it a classic of Western literature.The Dark Ages and the Middle Ages: A Time of Faith and LearningAfter the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe entered a period known as the Dark Ages, characterized by political instability and cultural decline. However, this era also saw the rise of Christianity as a dominant force in Western Europe, leading to the creation of magnificent cathedrals, monasteries, and works of art.One of the most famous works of literature from this period is Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy," an epic poem that takesreaders on a journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven. This work explores themes of sin, redemption, and the afterlife, offering readers a glimpse into the spiritual beliefs of the Middle Ages.The Renaissance: A Rebirth of Art, Science, and ThoughtThe Renaissance was a period of great cultural and intellectual achievement in Europe, marked by a renewed interest in the arts, sciences, and literature. Writers such as William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Michel de Montaigne produced works that continue to be studied and performed to this day.Shakespeare's plays, such as "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth," are considered some of the greatest works of literature in the English language. These plays explore themes of love, jealousy, ambition, and revenge, offering readers insight into the complexities of the human experience.The Enlightenment and the Age of Reason: A Time of Progress and ChangeThe Enlightenment was a period in Western history characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and individual rights. Writers such as Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, andMary Wollstonecraft challenged traditional beliefs and advocated for social and political reform.Voltaire's "Candide" is a satirical novel that critiques the optimistic philosophy of Leibniz and explores themes of suffering, injustice, and human folly. This work continues to be read and studied for its biting wit and sharp critique of society.The Modern Era: A Time of Innovation and UncertaintyThe modern era is characterized by rapid technological advancements, global conflicts, and social upheaval. Writers such as Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Albert Camus captured the spirit of this tumultuous period through their innovative and experimental works.Woolf's novel "Mrs. Dalloway" is a modernist masterpiece that explores themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. This work challenges traditional narrative conventions and offers readers a unique and immersive reading experience.ConclusionIn conclusion, the history of Western civilization has been shaped by a rich and diverse literary tradition that continues to influence and inspire readers around the world. From the ancient Greeks to the present day, writers have used their words toexplore the human experience and tackle pressing social and political issues. By engaging with this literary heritage, readers can gain insight into the past, present, and future of Western culture, connecting with the thoughts and experiences of others in a meaningful and profound way. So, to all the lonely readers out there, take comfort in the power of literature to connect us with the world around us, and remember that you are never truly alone when you have a book in your hands.。
亚里士多德《政治学》的结构问题董 波【摘要】亚里士多德《政治学》的结构问题由来已久,争议主要围绕各卷的排序问题、写作时间问题和观点的统一性等方面展开。
耶格尔提出的发展论假说认为,论述最佳政体的第七、八卷与第四到第六卷分属亚里士多德思想发展的早期和后期,分别是理念论和经验性方法的代表,因此处于前后矛盾和替代的关系。
本文从六个方面讨论了发展论论证的不足,并在此基础上提出:发展论的根本缺陷在于没能认识到《政治学》的实践品格,一个以属人的善、幸福、德性为目标的政治哲学必然走向对最佳政体的追寻。
《政治学》全书的确体现了一贯的意图和有组织的结构,并通过第七、八卷关于最佳政体的讨论得以最终完成。
【关键词】亚里士多德;《政治学》;发展论;最佳政体中图分类号:B502 233 文献标识码:A 文章编号:1000-7660(2017)03-0080-08作者简介:董 波,(广州510275)中山大学博雅学院讲师。
基金项目:中山大学高校基本科研业务费青年教师重点培育项目(17wkzd13)《政治学》同亚里士多德的其他著作一样,流传的过程几经波折,曾辗转于多人之手。
这些手稿在辗转流离的过程中不可避免地散落、遗失,被后来的编者修订、编排、增删,也很可能被任意截断、窜入异文。
另外,目前流传下来的亚里士多德作品几乎都不是一开始就准备出版的作品,它们往往是关于某一特定研究领域的专题论文,通常被认为属于教学材料的性质。
除了同样具备这些特点之外,《政治学》还存在一个突出的现象:它不是一部整齐流畅的单篇著作,看上去更像是多篇相关论文的汇集或者拼合。
各部分被组合在同一个标题之下,但并没有很好地融为一体。
一、《政治学》各卷的顺序《政治学》共分为八卷,这八卷内容又可以被划分、组合为不同的部分。
常见的方法是划分为六个部分:第一、二、三卷各为一部分(分别标记以A、B、C),第四和第五卷为一部分(D),第六卷为一部分(E),第七和第八卷为一部分(F)。
希腊雅典历史之亚历山大大帝的征服之路Alexander the Great's Path of Conquest in GreekAthenian HistoryAlexander the Great, a towering figure in ancient Greece and beyond, embarked on an extraordinary journey of conquest that left an indelible mark on world history. His legendary exploits across vast landscapes not only expanded the boundaries of Hellenic civilization but also forged a legacy that continues to inspire generations.亚历山大大帝,这位古希腊及其以外地区的伟大人物,踏上了一段非凡的征服之旅,为世界历史留下了不可磨灭的痕迹。
他跨越广袤土地的传奇壮举不仅扩大了希腊文明的边界,还铸就了一个代代相传、激励后人的遗产。
Born into royalty with dreams of grandeur already woven into his destiny, Alexander was destined for greatness from birth. He was tutored by Aristotle himself, imbuing him with a keen understanding of philosophy, politics, and warfare—skills that would later serve him well on the battlefield. But it wasn’t just books that shaped him; his father’s example as a ruler and warrior instilled a fierce ambition within young Alexander.作为皇室血统的一员,天生就编织着宏伟梦想的亚历山大注定会成为一位伟人。
BookReview第一篇:Book ReviewBook ReviewThe Count of Monte Cristo, a marvelous novel, mainly tells us how a man rewards people who have helped him while takes revenge on people who have wronged him.Edmond Dantes, the hero of this novel, was a young firstmate of the ship with very much competence, honesty and talent.Because of his talent and good quality, he was admired by other many sailors, besides, after the former captain died from disease, he was promised to become the new captain by the ship owner.The ship owner appreciated him very much and often helped Dantes and even his family.Furthermore, Danes would get married with his ravishing fiancee very soon.It seemed that Dantes was a promising man who would live a happy life forever.However, the happy time was never everlasting.Something terrible happened after all.As another sailor, Danglars hated Dantes since Dantes could obtain much more honor from others and could be made the new capt ain of the ship while he hadn’t received much glory, he envied Dantes’talent.And as to another man named Fernand, he lost his heart to his younger female cousin who was going to marry Dantes.Obviously, Fernand was jealous of Dantes’charm because Dantes and his cousin were about to tie the knot.So after knowing Dantes would deliver a letter from Napolen to an agent of Napolen, these two devils deliberately impeached Dantes of high treason.Unfortunately, poor Dantes was arrested on his wedding day and was imp risoned because of the procurator’s selfishness.Day by day, Dantes lived an anguishing life, luckily, he met up with an elderly priest named Faria.With the help of Faria,he realized why he was charged and imprisoned.Thus, in order to take revenge for wronging him, he learned a lot from Faria.Fourteen years later, Dantes was told there was a great deal of treasure on the Monte Cristo before Faria was dead.Then, Dantes escaped from the prison and found the treasure to help those who helped him and revenge on those who hurt him in the name of the count of Monte Cristo.In my opinion, Edmond Dantes was a true hero.Although he was very outstanding and excellent, he never felt he was more superior to others, and he always treated others with his warm heart.Therefore, he was admired and respected by almost everyone.When he was arrested and charged of high treason, at first he believed he would be released because he was innocent.In some aspects, I think he was living a life with much hope and he believed everything would be better eventually.However, when he felt very helpless in prison, he even wanted to suicide.It was the first time for him to give up and realize the society was dark.Fortunately, he met the wise priest Faria, and with his help, Dantes cheered up very fast.It seemed that he found the reason to live continuously.In my point of view, he was a man who could tolerate great pain when he had his target, it’s previous.It was because of his honesty that he never thought about other people would wronged him, so after Faria helped him analyze the reason of his imprisoning, he became very angry.But after all, when he fled from the prison and gained the treasure, he still remembered to reward people who had offered him help such as the ship owner.At the bottom of his heart, he was indebted to some people, evidently, he was still kind, and he didn’t lose his true personality.Of course, he didn’talso forget to take revenge on those devils that had brokenhis former happy life, which was another true personality.Edmond Dantes endured great hardship, therefore undergoing a tremendous change from an honest and promising sailor to an unforgiving but brilliant gentleman.It was difficult, but he succeeded.第二篇:呼啸山庄英文读后感bookreview on wuthing heights Wuthering Heights is a , and the onlyby.First published in 1847 under theEllis Bell, a posthumous second edition was edited by her sister.The name of the novel comes from themanor on theon which the story centers(as an adjective,is a Yorkshire word referring to turbulent weather).The narrative tells the tale of the all-encompassing and passionate, yet thwarted, love betweenand , and how this unresolved passion eventually destroys them and many around them.Now considered a classic of , Wuthering Heights met with mixed reviews by critics when it first appeared, mainly because of the narrative's stark depiction of mental and physical cruelty.Though Charlotte Brontë'swas initially considered the best of the ' works, many subsequent critics of Wuthering Heights argued that its originality and achievement made it superior.Wuthering Heights has also given rise to many adaptations and inspired works, including , , television dramatisations, aby , , , and(notably thehit “").The novel is narrated by Mr.Lockwood, who also takes a subsidiary role in the action.His housekeeper, Nelly Dean, provides a secondary narrative that is embedded within Lockwood's.Lockwood relates his arrival in the year 1801 at Thrushcross Grange, a grand house on thethat he is renting from Heathcliff, also the master of nearby Wuthering Heights.Visiting the Heights to greet his landlord, Lockwood is treated rudely and coldly by its inhabitants, whose hostile relationships with oneanother he does not understand.Snowed in, he is forced to stay overnight, and, unable to sleep, reads the diary of a girl named Catherine Earnshaw, learning that she was a close childhood friend of ter, he has a terrifying dream in which the ghost of a young girl appears at his window and begs to be let in.As he struggles to keep her out of his room, Heathcliff is awakened by Lockwood's shouts and enters.Upon hearing of Catherine's ghost, he asks Lockwood to leave the room.Standing outside the door, Lockwood hears Heathcliff sobbing and calling for 'Cathy' to come in.The next morning, after returning to Thrushcross Grange, Lockwood asks the housekeeper,Nelly Dean, to tell the story of Heathcliff, Catherine, and Wuthering Heights.She takes over the narration and begins her story thirty years earlier, when Heathcliff, a ”gypsy“ from the streets of Liverpool, is brought to Wuthering Heights by the then-owner, Mr.Earnshaw, and raised as his own.Both Earnshaw children, Catherine and Hindley, initially resent Heathcliff, howeverCatherine and Heathcliff swiftly become inseparable.Her brother Hindley continues to hate and physically abuse him, seeing him as an interloper and rival for his father's attention.When Mr.Earnshaw dies three years later, Hindley, by this time married to a woman named Frances, inherits the estate.He brutalises Heathcliff, forcing him to work as a hired hand.Catherine becomesfriends with the neighbouring Linton family who live at Thrushcross Grange, and they mellow her wild personality.She is attracted to the refined, mild, and young Edgar Linton, whom Heathcliff takes an immediate dislike to.A year later, Frances dies from ”“ shortly after giving birth to a son, Hareton.Hindleytakes to drinking and becomes dangerous, at one point dropping the baby Hareton from the stairs where he is rescued by Heathcliff.Some two years later, Catherine informs Nelly that she wishes to marry Edgar Linton, as it will give her status and allow her to protect Heathcliff from her brother.Nelly disapproves of Catherine's attraction to only Edgar's physical person and status.Heathcliff overhears the conversation at Catherine's explanation that it would be”degrading“ to marry him and leaves Wuthering Heights, before hearing Catherine profess her love for him.After realizing Heathcliff has left her, Catherine becomes desperate and is struck down by a fever.When she is moved to Thrushcross Grange so that the Lintons may care for her, Mr.and Mrs.Linton contract the fever and die.Edgar's attentions slowly return Catherine back to health, and some years later she marries him.She lives in apparent happiness for a few months, until Heathcliff returns, apparently transformed into a wealthy, respectable gentleman.Through loans he has made to the wayward Hindley that cannot be repaid, Heathcliff takes ownership of Wuthering Heights upon Hindley's death.Intent on ruining Edgar, Heathcliff elopes with Edgar's sister Isabella when he learns of her attraction to him.When they marry and return to Wuthering Heights, Edgar disowns his sister and she is abused by Heathcliff.Catherine is initially ecstatic at seeing Heathcliff again, but then becomes very ill after a harsh argument with Heathcliff regarding Isabella.They reconcile a few hours before her death,however, reaffirming their feelings for one another.Catherine dies after giving birth to a daughter also named Catherine, or Cathy.With no male heir, the Linton estate passes to Catherine.Heathcliff becomes more bitter and vengeful towards those around him.Isabella flees her abusive marriage amonth later and subsequently gives birth to a boy, Linton Heathcliff.At around the same time, Hindley dies.Heathcliff takes ownership of Wuthering Heights and vows to raise Hindley's son Hareton with as much neglect as he had suffered at Hindley's hands years earlier.Heathcliff chooses to ignore paternal emotions(he identifies with Hareton's plight)so that he might continue to degrade Hareton as Hindley degraded him, thereby achieving his revenge.Twelve years later, the dying Isabella asks Edgar to raise her and Heathcliff's son, Linton.However, Heathcliff finds out about this and takes the sickly, spoiled child to Wuthering Heights.Heathcliff has nothing but contempt for his son, but delights in the idea of him ruling the property of his enemies.Cathy, accompanied by Nelly, and Linton, accompanied by Hareton, meet while Cathy is riding on the moors.Linton treats Hareton, who is , with equal disrespect and contempt as his father does, believing Hareton to be an imbecile.Nelly is appalled by the state of Hareton, remembering him as a bright, loving toddler.Cathy feels sorry for Linton, who knows his father despises him and is utterly miserable.Heathcliff uses his son to issue Cathy invitations to Wuthering Heights, but Edgar senses a trap and refuses to let Cathy go.Cathy's nature is much sweeter than her mother's and she reluctantly obeys her father.But when she receives news that Linton has fallen ill, she refuses to stay at home and hurries to Wuthering Heights to see if she can be of help.Heathcliff attempts to persuade her to marry Linton.With Linton's health diminishing swiftly, he puts Cathy under house arrest and forces the two to marry.Soon after, Edgar Linton dies, followed shortly by Linton Heathcliff.This leaves Cathy a widow and a virtual prisoner at Wuthering Heights, as Heathcliff has gained complete control of both Wuthering Heights andThrushcross Grange.It is at this point in the narrative that Lockwood arrives, renting Thrushcross Grange from Heathcliff, and hears Nelly Dean's story.Shocked, Lockwood leaves for London.During Lockwood's absence, events, described to him by Nelly upon returning, reach aclimax;Cathy gradually softens toward her rough, uneducated cousin Hareton, just as her mother was tender towards Heathcliff.She teaches him to read and he allows her to open up again after becoming so bitter from Heathcliff's brutal treatment.When Heathcliff is confronted by Cathy and Hareton's love, notably Hareton's determination to protect the defiant Cathy from Heathcliff's attacks, he seems to suffer a mental breakdown and begins to see Catherine's ghost.He seemingly abandons his life-long vendetta and dies, having ”swallowed nothing for four days".Nellydescribes finding Heathcliff's corpse as lying on the bed, stiff with , with the window open and rain pouring in through it, soaking Heathcliff's body.Only Hareton mourns Heathcliff's death.He is buried, according to his wishes, next to Catherine in the graveyard, with Edgar's grave on the other side of Catherine's.Lockwood hastily leaves Nelly and on his walk home he visits the graves, noting the tranquillity of the spot, sharply contrasting with the turbulent lives of the characters.。
毕达哥拉斯语录1. "There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres." - "The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library" by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie("琴弦的颤动中有几何,星球的排列中有音乐。
")2. "The universe is a harmonious whole, and its beauty lies in its completeness." - "The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library" by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie("宇宙是一个和谐的整体,它的美丽在于它的完整性。
")3. "As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other." - "The Ethics of Diet" by Howard Williams("只要人类继续无情地摧毁低等生物,他永远不会拥有健康和和平。
因为只要人类屠杀动物,他们就会互相残杀。
")4. "The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become." - "The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library" by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie("灵魂的颜色取决于思想。
有关名人的英语故事欣赏故事永远伴随着我们,伴随着我们的学习,从童年到老年,从课堂到职场,从故土到异乡。
因此我们说,学习始于故事。
小编精心收集了有关名人的英语故事,供大家欣赏学习!有关名人的英语故事:Ralph Waldo Emerson拉尔夫·沃尔多·爱默生The United States had won its independence from Britain just twenty-two years before Ralph Waldo Emerson was born. But it had yet to win its cultural independence. It still took its traditions from other countries, mostly from western Europe. What the American Revolution did for the nation’s politics, Emerson did for its culture.当美国从英国手里赢得独立的22年后,爱默生出生了。
但是当时的美国还需要赢得文化上的独立。
它的传统仍然来自其他国家,主要是来自西欧。
美国革命在政治上为美国赢得独立,而爱默生在文化上为美国独立做出了贡献。
When he began writing and speaking in the eighteen thirties, conservatives saw him as radical — wild and dangerous. But to the young, he spoke words of self-dependence 一 a new language of freedom. He was the first to bring them a truly American spirit. He told America to demand its own laws and churches and works. It is through his own works that we shall look at Ralph Waldo Emerson.19世纪30年代,当爱默生开始写作和演讲时,保守派认为他太激进,野蛮而且危险。
As the greatest thinker and the most knowledgeable scholar of the ancient Greece, Aristotle is no doubt a vital figure in almost everywhere in Greek history. Although his writings cover many subjects , including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music, rhetoric, linguistics, politics and government , Aristotle is among the most excellent philosophers all the time, and he also did incomparable contributions to ancient Greek literary theories. The most outstanding writing of him on literary theories collects in his Poetics. Aristotle's Poetics, which is particularly concerned with drama, is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory and the first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. Aristotle's original work was divided in two, but only the first part, which focuses on tragedy, survives. The lost second part addressed comedy. In the Poetics his basic standpoint is that imitation is the foundation of pleasure, which comes from all forms of art, not only poetry but also music, dancing, painting, and sculpture. Imitation is the most emphasized. It is the artists who usually help the others to understand the pleasure better in the way they find out similarities. According to Modern Library's Basic Works of Aristotle (2001), there are five basic parts within the table of contents page of the Poetics: (1) Elementary discourse on tragedy, epic poetry, and comedy, as the chief forms of imitative poetry. 2.1 Definition of a tragedy, and the rules for its construction. 2.2 Different analysis on tragedy 3. Rules for the construction of an epic: To arouse catharsis through pity and fear in the audience. The characters must be four things: good, appropriate, realistic, and consistent. Discovery must occur within the plot. It is important for the poet to visualize all of the scenes when creating the plot. The poet should incorporate Complication and Denouement within the story, as well as combine all of the elements of Tragedy. The poet must express Thought through the characters' words and actions, while paying close attention to Diction and how a character's spoken words express a specific idea. Aristotle believed that all of these different elements had to be present in order for the poetry to be well-done.4. Possible criticisms of an epic or tragedy, and the answers to them 5. Tragedy is artistically superior to epic poetry: Tragedy has everything that the Epic has, including epic meter. The reality of presentation is felt in the play as read, as well as in the play as acted. The tragic imitation requires less space for the attainment of its end. If it has more concentrated effect, it is more pleasurable than one with a large admixture of time to dilute it. There is less unity in the imitation of the epic poets and this is proved by any work of their supplies matter for several tragedies. In all these, he considers tragedy a higher form of art.First of all, imitation is the common principle of the Poetics. Aristotle divides poetry according to whether it imitates people above or below the average state of humanity. The nature of art is just imitation, which is the base of telling apart art from crafts as well. He defines poetry as the mimetic or imitative use of language, rhythm and harmony separately or in combination. By saying poetry is mimetic, it means that it allows people to think about its subject matter as real while admitting that it is in fact imaginary. Poetry is mimetic because it creates an expression of things in the world, unlike philosophy, for example, which presents ideas. Imitation is human’s instincts, so poetry has a strong pull on us. We can not only fulfill our desire to learn about the world, but also gain aesthetic satisfaction. Owing to this, he holds that art origins from human’s instincts. All in all, the theory of Imitation, according to Aristotle, include following aspects:1) When artists are imitating the reality, they can perform it either as it is or more beautiful or more ugly. 2) There are three kinds of objects of imitation: a) things that happened or happens b) things in the legend or people believe in c) things that should happen. It is a special function ofartistic imitation that artists can present objects following these three sorts of rules 3) To art, the imitation should be general as well typical. On the one hand, imitation should concern about figures and events that have general significance, on the other hand, it should represent some specific matter. In this way, compared with history, poetry writing is more philosophical and is much closer to the truth. 4) In order to stress the nature and striking features of imitated objects , artists are allowed to use methods of idealization and typification. And sometimes, poets can even describe those that are impossible to happen or something unusual, as long as they can make it believable.In my point of view, the highlight of Poetics is his imitation theory on tragedy. Aristotle identifies tragedy as the most refined version of poetry dealing with lofty matters and comedy as the most refined version of poetry dealing with humble matters. As Aristotle said in this book, “Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious complete, and of a certain magnitude…”, tragedies where the outcome depends on a tightly constructed cause-and –effect chain of actions are superior to those that depend primarily on the character and personality of the protagonist.He defines tragedy according to seven characteristics: (1) it is mimetic, (2) it is serious, (3) it tells a full story of an appropriate length, (4) it contains rhythm and harmony, (5) rhythm and harmony occur in different combinations in different parts of the tragedy, (6) it is performed rather than narrated, and (7) it arouses feelings of pity and fear and then purges these feelings through catharsis. A tragedy consists of six component parts, from most important to least important: plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle.Plot is the “first principle,” the most important feature of tragedy. Aristotle defines plot as “the arrangement of the incidents”, not the story itself, but the way incidents are presented to the audience, the structure of the play. The plot must be “a whole”, with a beginning, middle and end. As for the plot, a well-formed plot must have a beginning, which is not a necessary consequence of any previous action; a middle, which follows logically from the beginning; and an end, which follows logically from the middle and from which no further action necessarily follows. The plot must be “complete”, having “unity of action.” It should be unified, meaning that every element of the plot should have close connection with the rest of the plot, leaving no loose ends. This kind of unity allows tragedy to express universal themes powerfully, which makes it superior to history, which can only talk about particular events. Episodic plots are bad because there is no necessity to the sequence of events. Also the plot must be “of a certain magnitude,” and may either simple, although complex is better. The best kind of plot contains surprises, but surprises that, in retrospect, fit logically into the sequence of events. The best kinds of surprises are brought about by reversal of fortune, and or discovery. A good plot progresses like a knot that is tied up with increasingly greater complexity until the moment of reversal of fortune, at which point the knot is gradually untied until it reaches a completely unknotted conclusion. Character has the second place in importance. In a perfect tragedy, character will support plot, personal motivations will be intricately connected parts of the cause-and-effect chain of actions producing pit and fear in the audience. The protagonist should be renowned and prosperous, so his change of fortune can be from good to bad. This change “should come about as the result, not of vice, but of some great error or frailty in a character.” Such a plot is most likely to arouse pity and fear in the audience, for “pity is aroused by unmerited misfortune, fear by the misfortune of a man like ourselves.” The character involved in the change must have specific characteristics to arouse the tragic emotions of pity and fear. Therefore, Aristotle said that there are three forms ofplot that should be avoided: 1. A totally good man must not pass from happiness to misery. This will make the audience angry that bad things happened to him. They won’t pity him so much as be angry for him. 2. A bad man must not pass from misery to happiness. This won’t appeal to the audience at all because they won’t want to see evil rewarded. 3. A bad man must not pass from happiness to misery. The audience won’t feel sorry for him because they will believe he got what he deserved. This changed the view of fate. The root of tragedy is not the fate but lies in the personality of a character, hence here comes to the heated debate of “tragic flaw”, which is the most common translation of “hamartia” in Greek, but we need to be careful with this term and understand what the Greeks meant by "flaw" and how it relates to a broadly defined sense of "fate": Through tragic flaw, the tragic hero visits his own fate upon him or herself. In this way, "fate" is transformed from some metaphysical concept -- "the will of the gods," "the divine order of the cosmos" etc. -- to one in which we see our fates as tied to inherent elements of our selves, of our psyches, that ordain our destinies. To put it in an easy way, tragic flaw is a personal error in a protagonist’s personality that brings about his tragic downfall in a tragedy. Tragic flaw imparts the sense of pity and fear in the audience of the readers. The audience or the readers identify with the tragic hero as, like them, his character is a mixture of good and bad qualities. They feel pity for the reversal of fortune that he undergoes. This arouses a feeling of pity in them. Similarly, by witnessing a tragic hero suffer due to his own flaw, the audience or the readers may fear the same fate may befall them if they indulge in similar kinds of action. Therefore, tragic flaw may be employed for a moral purpose to encourage people to improve their characters by removing the flaws that can cause a tragedy in their lives.For a tragedy to arouse pity and fear, we must observe a hero who is relatively noble going from happiness to misery as a result of error on the part of the hero. Our pity and fear is aroused most when it is family members who harm one another rather than enemies or strangers. In the best kind of plot, one character narrowly avoids killing a family member unwittingly thanks to an discovery that reveals the family connection. The hero must have good qualities appropriate to his or her station and should be portrayed realistically and consistently. Since both the character of the hero and the plot must have logical consistency, Aristotle concludes that the untying of the plot must follow as a necessary consequence of the plot and not from stage artifice.Since thought, diction, melody, and spectacle are not so important to further interpret, we just come to the function of tragedy here. According to Wikipedia, in drama field, Katharsis means A release of emotional tension after an overwhelming vicarious experience, resulting in the purging or purification of the emotions, as through watching a dramatic production (especially a tragedy). According to Aristotle, the function of tragedy is Katharsis or Catharsis. To him, tragedy has reversion and discovery, then arouses pity and fear, through which person’s emotion is Katharsized. From the perspective of tragic narrative, katharsis is a basic measurement to formulate and achieve the goal of balance and harmony between pity and fear. From the perspective of comic narrative, katharsis is an important criterion to judge both laughable subject and manner in comic narrative. In light of its important function in both tragic narrative and comic narrative, it can be concluded that the katharsis in Aristotle's Poetics is a narrative-ethical principle of criticism involving balance and harmony. It reflects ancient Greeks' dialectical understanding of the relations between literature and society, between aesthetics and utility and between literary creation and criticism. It also renders a new understanding and interpretation ofGreek narrative art.Aristotle discusses thought and diction and then moves on to address epic poetry. Epic poetry must have as many kinds as tragedy: it must be simple, or complex, or ‘ethical’ or ‘pathetic’. Epic poetry differs from tragedy in the scale on which it is constructed, and in its meter. Whereas tragedy consists of actions presented in a dramatic form, epic poetry consists of verse presented in a narrative form. Tragedy and epic poetry have many common qualities, most notably the unity of plot and similar subject matter. However, epic poetry has a great and special capacity for enlarging its dimensions. It can be longer than tragedy, and because it is not performed, it can deal with more fantastic action with a much wider scope. By contrast, tragedy can be more focused and takes advantage of the devices of music and spectacle. Epic poetry and tragedy are also written in different meters. After defending poetry against charges that it deals with improbable or impossible events, Aristotle concludes by weighing tragedy against epic poetry and determining that tragedy is on the whole superior. And superior it is, because it has all the epic elements, which may even use the epic meter, with the music and spectacular effects as important accessories; and these produce the most vivid of pleasures.It can’t be denied that Aristotle's Poetics is universally acknowledged in the Western critical tradition, as Marvin Carlson explains, "almost every detail about his seminal work has aroused divergent opinions”, while at meantime no one can afford to neglect the crucial historical role of it and its significance all over the world.。
小王子英语读后感整理小王子英语读后感导语:《小王子》是法国作家安托万·德·圣·埃克苏佩里于1942年写成的`著名儿童文学短篇小说。
本书的主人公是外星球的小王子。
以下是小王子英语读后感的资料,欢迎阅读参考。
I have a lot of questions. Such as the little prince lived in a asteroids in the solar system outside earth,self live small can only aommodate three volcanoes and a flower, he how to eat, how to master the language, how to move back and forth between the different plas, how he was born? And the plas that he's traveled around, why are they always alone, where they e from, how they're dressed, how they breathe, and whether they die?Of course these questions are not worth discussing in their own right, and the benefits and values of the whole book lie in its allegory and its ridicule of the people who are Mired in the mundane and the busy.First of all, the little prince was on the pla where there lived a king, which was in fact a symbol of political power, and the man who counted the stars all day was a narrow, selfish, greedy businessman. A geographer might be a person of mine who knows all the time and thinks of something that's out of touch with reality, and then bees obsessed with a certain intellectual or linguistic vanity. The lightman is a humble and industrious worker of society.Himself is a very interesting character the little prince, he was a child, has not been in the real world of ugly things defile the pure beauty of mind and desire to want to know the outside world with curiosity, but it was also his these features make him worried, because of his truth persistence spirit of exploration and the absurd world cannot eliminate contradictions exist, this world does not exist the answer he wanted, and this is the reason why he died. His death was a rejection of this dirty, ugly world.This is a condensed and condensed version of my overall reading experience, which may be simplistic, but I think I will add, and if you don't like my language style, I apologize.In fact, one of my favorite passages is the dialogue between the little prince and the other. I always think of you from that flower.Aristotle used to say that "people begin to explore in the ages, and they should have their origins in the wonder of the natural world". People have to discover the world through exploration to live a better life, just like the little prince.In this world there is always a lot of new, have a plenty of you don't have the chance to meet, have a plenty of you never dare to imagine, and everyone should have thecourage to find new and a heart of curiosity and exploration.Life is only once, plain and light is life, gorgeousand wonderful life. Some people choose to be calm, butthere are no big fish in the shallow water. If you want to live a wonderful life, you must try to explore and find out. Read the little prince, let me know how to live, let I tolife is full of confidence, the benefit of my life, it reminds me of all the time, life is not plain gorgeous brilliant!"The little prince," the fairy tale, is most impressed by "it is a children's book for adults" and "contains a whole set of philosophical thoughts in his poetic touch." This fairy tale for adults contains symbolic benefits that seem to be both clear and subtle, and thereforeexceptionally beautiful. I don't understand why thisreading rate is second only to that of the bible. So I have this book in my hand.At the beginning of the book, the unimaginative grown-ups were satirized, "these adults never take the initiative to learn anything; And for our kids, it's always been a lot of explaining to them... "So I won't talk to him about pythons, primeval forests, or stars. I only talk aboutthings they can understand, such as bridge, golf, politics, ties and so on. In this way, the person will be very happy,and a person who has met a reasonable understanding. Andthe children said to the adults, "I see a beautiful house, which is made of rose brick, with a geranium in the window and white doves on the roof." They had to be unable to imagine the house. You have to say, "I saw a house worth twenty thousand dollars." They would have to say, "that house is so beautiful." Saint-exupery may be felt lonely in adults, and then through the eyes of the little prince to find adults much ado about nothing, in order to possess wealth, power for money such as learning to forget the self, the true value of life really lost the most preciouschildlike innocence and innocence, lost valuableimagination and aesthetic feeling.There was a boy who had blond hair and asked him whathe never answered. All in all, as long as it's such alittle boy, you'll be able to guess who he is. Yes, he is the little prince.The little prince is a child from another pla. One day, the little prince decided to leave the pla. He visited six plas, and the seventh pla he visited was earth. The place where the little prince lands is the Sahara desert. Thenthe little prince came upon a little fox, and the little prince tamed the fox and made friends with him. The little fox has the secret of his heart. "man can only observe with his heart and feel it. Understand that it is impossible tosee what is in nature, as a gift, as a gift to the little prince. The little prince wants to go back to his own pla and return to his dream home, so he goes back to where he landed in the Sahara. There, he encountered a pilot who landed in the Sahara because of a plane malfunction and had a heart-to-heart exchange with him. Finally, the little prince dies with the help of the snake, and the spirit returns to his asteroid.The book is naive and slightly sad, saying, "one can only observe with the mind and feel it. To understand that it is impossible to see the essence of things by the naked eye.Life is such a thing, it is wonderful, you absolutely cannot see. Whether he looks beautiful or ugly. This does not mean anything, only the kind of potential beauty that the connotation gives out is the most real and beautiful.Reading "the little prince", I think the little prince is innocent, kind, innocent, sensitive, passionate and understanding.This book is about: the aliens and the little prince "I" married friends, later, because the little prince to take care of the pla itself, only a flower, had to be separated from the earth the person "I", the little prince returned to the pla of self. At that time, they were far away, but they missed each other, cared for each other, andlooked at each other. They are real good friends and their friendship is not affected by distance. We should learn the profound friendship between the little prince and the earth man and me.On my birthday, my mother gave me a very good birthday gift, is a book called "the little prince" book of fairy tales, my mother said to me: "child, mother hope you can like the little prince, always have a pure heart."Read this book, I finally understand what call pure heart. The little prince loved his rose so much that he asked the pilot to draw some masks for the sheep so that they could not be eaten by the sheep. To him, his rose is different from all roses on earth, and if the flowers are gone, it is as if all the stars have lost their light. What a sincere feeling it is! And the fox, even if the little prince had left it, will always remember the color of the wheat. I understand that at the moment, originally the adults will also do a lot of stupid things, adults must be all right, our children in the process of growing up was to be a pure heart, to find what we are really looking for.Read "the little prince" and read it with your child. This with the child's way of thinking, but with the wisdom of the adult book tells us a lot of, we know that there are so many things we should learn from the children, or thatit is neotenous, they can teach us a lot of the truemeaning of love with primitive simplicity. The littleprince's courage and persistence, the little prince's viewof life, is not enough to make the short life last longer,to shine more light?The story of "the little prince" is sad, an emotional pain. Love is earnest and sincere, painful and painful to bear.The little prince's feelings, pure and elegant, sincere and serious. If death could make him back to the stars of the self, if death can let him meet with the person I love, he will choose threw dead, because he was deep in love with her, because his heart was tamed by rose. He did so too,and he fell softly, as he did not know to e to earth.In a quiet and desperate life, he is far from the crowd, and the sun goes down to find the source of all decadence.It is a dusty paradise. Fortunately we have a story about the little prince, sad but perfect, the little prince's sadness is pure love; Perfection is because of love and expectation.Because of the little prince's story, we have the expectation and tenderness in the quiet life, and have the emotional and the responsibility of domestication."I would be the angel that you love in the fairy tale, open your hands to be the wings to protect you" is whatkind of "understanding", "mitment" to love? But who reallybelieves in the perfection of a fairy tale? If you really want to believe it, you're probably just "seeing the joythat you can see." Grown-ups, perhaps still following the children, told the fairy tales, in fact, it was early to understand that "everything in fairy tales is deceitful". Life has little to do with the benefits of individuality.It is just that we live to find the good for our lives. We all used to be a child, the in the mind only the desire of the simple and plain state of mind, we've obsessed withtoys of the self, even if it were worn out, for us, it is still no substitute, because it is close to grow together with us before. Yes, our hearts and adults are so different. Our previous sadness for a lost cat, we for the blossom ofa flower infinite joy, we can also be for the sake of a beautiful and chic thrilled with the butterfly, for us,this is important.At the moment we have grown up, everything is not so simple and plain in our eyes, we will for the things of a feather mung bean jealousness borne, will be to the fame of the humble."The eye can't see anything, so it applies to the mind."Not knowing how to turn on the understanding of thelittle prince, too much rational analysis is not my expectation.Little contact with new people and objects in the travel, such as the pursuit of authority but do not lose wise king, such as to avoid drunken disgrace and the alcoholic drink, such as possession of the stars and think serious businessman, such as refusing to travel geologist lamps and busy people. But the little prince was sick of their life, and he felt only the strange and unreasonable of the Lord all the way.The little prince finally found himself unable to go back. He lingered on the earth where he came, and missed his flowers. In the days that can't go back, the little prince will be looking at the stars themselves, he said: "if you fall in love with a flower that grows on a star at night, you is sweet to look at. All the stars seem to be open with flowers. Sadness vulnerable the pain which is unable to bear to miss the little prince, he would eagerly go back, in the end, he chose to snake venom end self life, although he is afraid of the pain, but he thinks that I can leave bulky body to go back to myself. At last the little prince fell down like a tree, and there was no sound in the soft sand."The little prince" is a book of clear minds, a fairy tale for adults. If the little prince back to the home of myself, if you live a happy life, we don't understand, but we will be at the bottom of the blessing, as the fox said,eyes is what also can't see, heart in search of is applications. In our hearts, we can find the happiness of the little prince and the rose.。
Book Review of PoliticsI chose Aristotle’s Politics in order to enrich my limited political knowledge. It turns out that the Politics not only illuminates fully several political concepts (at least applicable in his time) like oligarchy and polity in a simple way, but also promotes me to think further. Yet some of his ideas are as biased as his contemporaries and the concept of “nature” needs more clarification. However, for the most part, I agree with him and will elaborate his ideas of the rulers for the best government with my own understandings.The Politics consists of eight books. Book I and Book III mainly introduces the general theories of city-state, citizenship, and government. He defines the city-state as self-sufficient, naturally formed from several villages. A citizen is someone who shares in the administration of justice and in the offices. This definition applies to the citizen of a democracy mainly (III.1). A government is the “arrangement of magistracies in a state, especially the hig hest of all”(III.6). He classifies the kinds of government according to its purposes and supreme authorities into the true forms and the perverted forms. The former include royalty, aristocracy and constitutional government; the latter accordingly tyranny, oligarchy and democracy. The perverted forms aim not at common good but rather at narrow interest of its own ruling class (III. 7). Book II is the most interesting because to my surprise it reasonably attacks at Plato’s ideas of community of property, wom en and children. The reasons are many: 1) the community deprives people of pleasures of owning and giving; 2) it annihilates the exhibition of two virtues—“temperance towards women” and “liberality in the matter of property”(II.5); 3) people have all thing s in common quarrel more thanpeople with private properties. Moreover it analyzes the merits and deserts of ostensibly current best governments, for instance the governments of Lacedaemon and Crete. As a result, it provides solid empirical proofs for his later reasoning. In Book IV to Book VI, Aristotle explains the reasons and standards for the variety of the governments. He concludes that democracy and oligarchy are the two principal forms while others are only variations (IV. 3). He proceeds to expound the specific conditions, preservation and destruction of democracy, oligarchy, polity (i.e. constitutional government) and aristocracy. Most importantly, he proposes that “the best political community is formed by (a large number of) citizens of the middle class”, because it prevents the poor and rich—the two extremes becoming dominant (IV. 11). Book VII and Book VIII design the blueprint for the best government by focusing on the discussions of virtues, population, land size, races, education and so forth.Aristotle begins the Politics by determining that human beings are naturally political. The Politics is an attempt to systematically illustrate what the plausibly best government for citizens is. In order to reach the goal, he compares more than a hundred of state governments in reality and weighs their merits and faults; then he concludes there exists only two principle governments, both of which can be extreme and faulty. However, a government composed by a large group of middle class citizens can neutralize the extremes and prove itself to be the best. The government most approximates to this claim is the constitutional or aristocratical government. Later he probes into workable methods to realize the best government.Overall, the Politics is convincing, because Aristotle performs incredibly work of logical reasoning based on empirical evidences—the comparisons and analyses of current governments. His arguments effectively reveal what the best government is: 1)it needs to selectively combine exist ing governments’ merits and try to avoid or reduce their faults; 2) it needs to approximate to the theoretically best government while taking the real circumstances in consideration.However, Aristotle inevitably presents at least four biases as seen with his contemporaries.First, he claims that women are inferior to men, meaning “the male is by nature fitter for command than the female” (I.12) and their deliberate faculty lacks authority (I.13), yet no supporting objective evidence is shown. Second, he asserts that some are born free man while some born slaves. In the 13th Chapter of Book I, Aristotle tries to explain why the master and the male should rule the slave and female by using an inadequate analogy. He argues since in the soul the rational part naturally rules over the irrational part so that “it is obvious the same principle applies generally, and therefore almost all things rule and are ruled according to nature”. My essay will deal with the concept of “nature” in Politics later. Nonetheless he continues both master and slave, male and female need virtues. The ruler ought to have perfect and rational virtues so as to carry out his proper functions, while the subjects need only virtues in following the rules. As is stated, “the courage of a man is shown in commanding, of a woman in obeying”. Whereas he doesn’t elucidate why women and slaves only possess the virtues of being ruled. In fact, he clarifies nothing at all; he uses a false analogy and shifts the explaining responsibility to nature. Yet the differentiations of virtues and of ruling positions are more societal than natural. Aristotle himself states that “all classes must be deemed to have their special attributes”, but overlooks the fact that “class” is a socially defined, thus givi ng them different attributes is accordingly a social conduct. This is probably due to rooted ideology of male superiority and slavery in his time. Suppressing the femalecounterparts has always been in the interests of the male dominant class. So has slave ry. Third, Aristotle’s view of wealth-getting is tailored to the benefits of his own class, thus biased. He thinks there are two sorts of wealth-getting. One belongs to the household management, mainly “concerned with the (necessary) provision of food”, wi th the included “exchange justly censored”. The other is retail trade, unnecessary and “unnatural” for in it men gains from each other. The most notorious is usury, for it “gains out of money itself, and not from the natural object of it”. In his time, usu ry referred to any money lending with an interest. The reason that this view is interest-oriented is because ancient Greek philosophers owned lands or were employed by the class that owned lands. Naturally Aristotle would consider usury to be destructive but he fails to give any convincing evidences to justify himself. The only reason given is untenable: money breeds interest, whereas money is inanimate, thus this mode of getting wealth is “the most unnatural” (I.10). The unreliability of the reason isclar ified in my following discussion of the issue of “nature”.Now I will bring forward two crucial issues: “nature” and “happiness”. In the discussion of “happiness”, I will explicate why Aristotle thinks the government composed by the middle class is the best. And the middle class refers to people who are neither rich nor poor but who have a moderate fortune.Let’s come to “nature” first. Aristotle doesn’t give a clear definition of nature In Politics. Nevertheless, the term “nature” applied in Politics d eviates from our common knowledge of nature. Or in other words, as I indicated above, Aristotle uses “nature” as a supreme power and thrust to reason for things he can’t explain. One of many examples is how a city-state comes into being. When the community formed by families becomes large enough to be self-efficient, a state is born. He maintains that the state is natural, just as any early form of society; interestingly, he also assigns vitalimportance to the lawgiver of the state, for he states throughout the work that it is always better to rule according to law (I.2). But consider this: if the state is truly natural like any thing else in the nature, then it will evolve naturally without any external help, whereas the state in Aristotle’s theory needs a“benefactor”—the lawgiver establishing (I.2). Therefore, his theory presents a clear trace of self-contradiction.Next, I will talk about “happiness”, noting that it is a concept also different from our common knowledge. Understanding the issue of “happiness” is significant, because to be able to realize a happy state, the rulers—also the best—should have ruling virtues; they should have/make the principle instead of following it like their subjects. The middle class is more virtuous than the rich or the poor, hence they should rule.Then, two questions are raised:Why should the best rulers have virtues and why do middle class have more virtues? Aristotle contends that a state comes into being for the “bare needs of life” and exists for the “sake of a good life”(I.2), and “a happy state” is ideally the best life (IV.11). The interest of a state is to bestow on its citizens a good/happy life; then it’s only reasonable that the interest and quality of the ruling class remains consistent with that of th e state. Oligarchy has “in view the interest of the wealthy; democracy, of the needy” so that none of them aims at “the common good of all” (III.7). Instead of with the rulers of oligarchy and democracy, happiness “is more often found with those who are most highly cultivated in their mind and in their character, and have only a moderate share of external goods” than riches with deficient virtues (VII.1); “happiness is the highest good, being a realization and perfect practice of virtue, which some can attain, while others have little or none of it, the various qualities ofmen are clearly the reason why there are various kinds of states and many forms of government” (VII.8). To answer the questions at the beginning of this paragraph, 1) for the reason that happiness goes hand in hand with virtues, so in order to manage a happy state, the fittest rulers should also have virtues. 2) According to the quotation “if what was said in the Ethics is true, that the happy life is the life according to virtue lived without impediment, and that virtue is a mean, then the life which is in a mean, and in a mean attainable by every one, must be the best (IV.11)”, we can get a rough idea about why the middle class has more virtues because the fact that “happiness is more oft en found” in them justifies that they treasure virtues highly.To strengthen the argument that the middle class is the most virtuous, Aristotle analyses the probably most important ruling virtue—rationality. He deems that rulers should let their rationality rule over irrationality. The logic reasoning of the supreme rationality in the middle class is shown in Chapter 11 of Book Four: Aristotle describes in detail the differences among the rich class, poor class and the third class “in a mean”—the middle class. He lists several qualities of the mean. They contribute to the construction of the overall quality of being rational. First, the people in the mean are the most rational. The rich disregard rationality for “they great excel in beauty, strength, birth, or wealth”. On the other hand, the poor is so “poor, or weak, or disgraced” that “they find it difficult to follow the rational principle”, for their own external needs can hardly be satisfied, let alone the pursuit of internal qualities. Second, the middle class is the best in obeying the rule and the most adequate in desiring the rule. The rich have too much external superiority will not want to submit to authority. Meanwhile, the poor’s desire for ruling is so strong as to have the propensity to rule despotically than rationally. Third, the citizens in the mean are the most secure in a state. They do not need to worry about the extreme interests of therich and the poor, for the rich are in constant worry of being coveted by the poor and the poor in a constant want of coveting the rich. Thus the middle class passes their life safely and develops the way of thinking rationally.Finally to conclude my essay, though Aristotle has some biases and tends to his own class, he is undoubtedly one of the best thinkers and philosophers in the world. His sharp and thorough understanding of the political systems is still applicable even today.Work Cited Aristotle. Politics Trans. Benjamin Jowett.。