Economics (Aristotle)
Encyclopedia
The Economics is a work that has been ascribed to Aristotle
. It is usually attributed, by modern scholars, to a student of Aristotle, or to a student of his successor Theophrastus
.
The title, though it is the origin of the modern term economics
, was originally derived from the Greek word oikos meaning household. So the term referred originally to household management, and only by extension to political economics or what is called economics in modern English usage. The connection was that these two subjects of study are often thought to be similar. However as in Aristotle's Politics, it is said in the first sentence of this work that politics does not naturally have one leader, while a household does. So the difference is not simply one of scale.
The Economics consists of three short books.
The first book is influenced by the similarly named Oeconomicus of Xenophon
, which was a Socratic dialogue
concerning how to be a good gentleman
farmer
, and kaloskagathos.
The second book contains anecdotes and is a theoretical exploration of economic types (Royal, Provincial, Political and Private) as well as their methods for generating revenue. The second book also contains a number of examples supplementing the theoretical discussion.
The third book is only known from Latin versions, not Greek, and deals with the relationship between husband and wife.
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
. It is usually attributed, by modern scholars, to a student of Aristotle, or to a student of his successor Theophrastus
Theophrastus
Theophrastus , a Greek native of Eresos in Lesbos, was the successor to Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. He came to Athens at a young age, and initially studied in Plato's school. After Plato's death he attached himself to Aristotle. Aristotle bequeathed to Theophrastus his writings, and...
.
The title, though it is the origin of the modern term economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, was originally derived from the Greek word oikos meaning household. So the term referred originally to household management, and only by extension to political economics or what is called economics in modern English usage. The connection was that these two subjects of study are often thought to be similar. However as in Aristotle's Politics, it is said in the first sentence of this work that politics does not naturally have one leader, while a household does. So the difference is not simply one of scale.
The Economics consists of three short books.
The first book is influenced by the similarly named Oeconomicus of Xenophon
Xenophon
Xenophon , son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, also known as Xenophon of Athens, was a Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, philosopher and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates...
, which was a Socratic dialogue
Socratic dialogue
Socratic dialogue is a genre of prose literary works developed in Greece at the turn of the fourth century BC, preserved today in the dialogues of Plato and the Socratic works of Xenophon - either dramatic or narrative - in which characters discuss moral and philosophical problems, illustrating a...
concerning how to be a good gentleman
Gentleman
The term gentleman , in its original and strict signification, denoted a well-educated man of good family and distinction, analogous to the Latin generosus...
farmer
Farmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
, and kaloskagathos.
The second book contains anecdotes and is a theoretical exploration of economic types (Royal, Provincial, Political and Private) as well as their methods for generating revenue. The second book also contains a number of examples supplementing the theoretical discussion.
The third book is only known from Latin versions, not Greek, and deals with the relationship between husband and wife.