Books
Aristotle’s De Anima III.3–5
– "Aristotle's de anima III.3-5," Review of Metaphysics, 28, no. 4 (June 1975): 611-622. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Aristotle’s De Anima is not a treatise on the human soul. It is as silent about the virtues as it is about memory and empeiria. The soul is mainly considered apart form time and the… More
The Grammar of Being
– "The Grammar of Being," Review of Metaphysics 30, No. 3 (1977): 486-496. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: “Charles H. Kahn’s The Verb “Be” in Ancient Greek is the sixth part of a series edited by JWM Verhaar with the overall title, The Verb “Be”… More
On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle’s Metaphysics A
– "On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle's Metaphysics A," Review of Metaphysics, 32, No. 2 (Dec 1978): 205-215. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: “Each of Aristotle’s three most theoretical writings begins with a critique of his predecessors but whereas the second books of his Physics and On Soul present his own… More
Review of J. Dudley, Gott und Theoria bei Aristoteles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikomachischen Ethik.
– Review of J. Dudley, Gott Und Theoria bei Aristotles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikocachischen Ethik. The Review of Metaphysics 37, no. 1 (September 1983): 112-13. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: This short book, a German translation of an unpublished English version, with 95 pages of text and 114 of notes, consists of three main chapters: I. The nature of the complete… More
The First Crisis in First Philosophy
– "The First Crisis in First Philosophy," Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 18, No. 1 (1995: 237-248, 1999. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: Virtually everyone knows that Aristotle sometimes lies. His account of the pre-Socratics in the first book of the Metaphysics leaves out of account everything that does not suit… More
The Argument of the Action: Essays on Greek Poetry and Philosophy
– The Argument of the Action: Essays in Greek Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.From the publisher: This volume brings together Seth Benardete’s studies of Hesiod’s Theogony, Homer’s Iliad, and Greek tragedy, of eleven Platonic dialogues, and… More
Review of The Argument of the Action
– Steven Berg, Review of The Argument of the Action, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol 55, no. 1 (2001): 119-21.The Argument of the Action is a collection of essays by Seth Benardete on Greek poetry and philosophy selected and introduced by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. We must be grateful to the… More
Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete
– Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete. Edited by Ronna Burger. With Robert Burman, Ronna Burger, and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002.From the publisher: By turns wickedly funny and profoundly illuminating, Encounters and Reflections presents a captivating and unconventional portrait of the life and works of Seth… More
Shelf Life; A Classicist’s Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation
– Edward Rothstein, "Shelf Life: A Classicist's Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation" (Review of The Argument of the Action) The New York Times, Arts, February 16, 2002.Confessions of ignorance are not usually in a critic’s best interest. But in this case, perhaps, an exception can be made. Ignorance, after all, is now common when confronting Greek… More
Aristotle’s “On Poetics”
– Aristotle - On Poetics. A translation by Seth Benardete and Michael Davis. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine's Press, 2002.The original, Aristotle’s short study of storytelling, written in the fourth century B.C., is the world’s first critical book about the laws of literature. Although the work is… More
In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001)
– Ronna Burger, “In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001),” Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 56:4 (June 2003) 939-941.Excerpt: Seth Benardete was born in Brooklyn, where he grew up with his older brother Jose. His father, Mair Jose, born in Istanbul, was a professor of Sephardic studies and Spanish at… More
Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima
– Richard Velkley, "Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima," Epoche, vol. 7, no. 2 (2003): 189-98.Benardete reads Aristotle as Socratic dialectician writing in treatise form. The sciences of various subject matters appear at first separate (like Platonic eide) but they contain diverging… More
At Homer’s Diner by Mark Blitz
– Mark Blitz, "At Homer's Diner" (Review of Encounters and Reflections) The Weekly Standard, Vol. 28, no. 29, April 7, 2003.There’s a joke that goes: “‘Do you know where we’re supposed to go?’ I said, ‘No.’ So he said, ‘Well let’s go together.’ That’s… More
Review of Encounters and Reflections
– Vincent Renzi, Review of Encounters and Reflections, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Nov. 31, 2003.As editor Ronna Burger notes in her preface (p. x), the present volume is “a project that falls outside the usual categories” of scholarship. While listing him as author, it is… More
The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy
– The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, South Bend: St. Augustine's Press 2012.From the publisher: The Archaeology of the Soul is a testimony to the extraordinary scope of Seth Benardete’s thought. Some essays concern particular authors or texts; others range more… More
Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Steven Berg, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek Political Thought, Vol. 30, no. 2 (2013): 340-343.Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Svetozar Minkov, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Review of Politics, Vol. 75, no. 4 (Fall 2013): 682-685.Being and Politics by Richard Velkley
– Richard Velkley, "Being and Politics: Seth Benardete on Aristotle's Metaphysics" The Political Science Reviewer, vol. 34 (2005): 7-21.Although he will not be remembered principally as an interpreter of Aristotle, Seth Benardete was much engaged with this philosopher throughout his life of teaching and writing. He taught… More
Essays
Aristotle’s De Anima III.3–5
– "Aristotle's de anima III.3-5," Review of Metaphysics, 28, no. 4 (June 1975): 611-622. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Aristotle’s De Anima is not a treatise on the human soul. It is as silent about the virtues as it is about memory and empeiria. The soul is mainly considered apart form time and the… More
The Grammar of Being
– "The Grammar of Being," Review of Metaphysics 30, No. 3 (1977): 486-496. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: “Charles H. Kahn’s The Verb “Be” in Ancient Greek is the sixth part of a series edited by JWM Verhaar with the overall title, The Verb “Be”… More
On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle’s Metaphysics A
– "On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle's Metaphysics A," Review of Metaphysics, 32, No. 2 (Dec 1978): 205-215. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: “Each of Aristotle’s three most theoretical writings begins with a critique of his predecessors but whereas the second books of his Physics and On Soul present his own… More
Review of J. Dudley, Gott und Theoria bei Aristoteles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikomachischen Ethik.
– Review of J. Dudley, Gott Und Theoria bei Aristotles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikocachischen Ethik. The Review of Metaphysics 37, no. 1 (September 1983): 112-13. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: This short book, a German translation of an unpublished English version, with 95 pages of text and 114 of notes, consists of three main chapters: I. The nature of the complete… More
The First Crisis in First Philosophy
– "The First Crisis in First Philosophy," Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 18, No. 1 (1995: 237-248, 1999. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: Virtually everyone knows that Aristotle sometimes lies. His account of the pre-Socratics in the first book of the Metaphysics leaves out of account everything that does not suit… More
The Argument of the Action: Essays on Greek Poetry and Philosophy
– The Argument of the Action: Essays in Greek Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.From the publisher: This volume brings together Seth Benardete’s studies of Hesiod’s Theogony, Homer’s Iliad, and Greek tragedy, of eleven Platonic dialogues, and… More
Review of The Argument of the Action
– Steven Berg, Review of The Argument of the Action, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol 55, no. 1 (2001): 119-21.The Argument of the Action is a collection of essays by Seth Benardete on Greek poetry and philosophy selected and introduced by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. We must be grateful to the… More
Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete
– Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete. Edited by Ronna Burger. With Robert Burman, Ronna Burger, and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002.From the publisher: By turns wickedly funny and profoundly illuminating, Encounters and Reflections presents a captivating and unconventional portrait of the life and works of Seth… More
Shelf Life; A Classicist’s Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation
– Edward Rothstein, "Shelf Life: A Classicist's Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation" (Review of The Argument of the Action) The New York Times, Arts, February 16, 2002.Confessions of ignorance are not usually in a critic’s best interest. But in this case, perhaps, an exception can be made. Ignorance, after all, is now common when confronting Greek… More
Aristotle’s “On Poetics”
– Aristotle - On Poetics. A translation by Seth Benardete and Michael Davis. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine's Press, 2002.The original, Aristotle’s short study of storytelling, written in the fourth century B.C., is the world’s first critical book about the laws of literature. Although the work is… More
In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001)
– Ronna Burger, “In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001),” Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 56:4 (June 2003) 939-941.Excerpt: Seth Benardete was born in Brooklyn, where he grew up with his older brother Jose. His father, Mair Jose, born in Istanbul, was a professor of Sephardic studies and Spanish at… More
Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima
– Richard Velkley, "Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima," Epoche, vol. 7, no. 2 (2003): 189-98.Benardete reads Aristotle as Socratic dialectician writing in treatise form. The sciences of various subject matters appear at first separate (like Platonic eide) but they contain diverging… More
At Homer’s Diner by Mark Blitz
– Mark Blitz, "At Homer's Diner" (Review of Encounters and Reflections) The Weekly Standard, Vol. 28, no. 29, April 7, 2003.There’s a joke that goes: “‘Do you know where we’re supposed to go?’ I said, ‘No.’ So he said, ‘Well let’s go together.’ That’s… More
Review of Encounters and Reflections
– Vincent Renzi, Review of Encounters and Reflections, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Nov. 31, 2003.As editor Ronna Burger notes in her preface (p. x), the present volume is “a project that falls outside the usual categories” of scholarship. While listing him as author, it is… More
The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy
– The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, South Bend: St. Augustine's Press 2012.From the publisher: The Archaeology of the Soul is a testimony to the extraordinary scope of Seth Benardete’s thought. Some essays concern particular authors or texts; others range more… More
Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Steven Berg, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek Political Thought, Vol. 30, no. 2 (2013): 340-343.Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Svetozar Minkov, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Review of Politics, Vol. 75, no. 4 (Fall 2013): 682-685.Being and Politics by Richard Velkley
– Richard Velkley, "Being and Politics: Seth Benardete on Aristotle's Metaphysics" The Political Science Reviewer, vol. 34 (2005): 7-21.Although he will not be remembered principally as an interpreter of Aristotle, Seth Benardete was much engaged with this philosopher throughout his life of teaching and writing. He taught… More
Commentary
Aristotle’s De Anima III.3–5
– "Aristotle's de anima III.3-5," Review of Metaphysics, 28, no. 4 (June 1975): 611-622. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Aristotle’s De Anima is not a treatise on the human soul. It is as silent about the virtues as it is about memory and empeiria. The soul is mainly considered apart form time and the… More
The Grammar of Being
– "The Grammar of Being," Review of Metaphysics 30, No. 3 (1977): 486-496. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: “Charles H. Kahn’s The Verb “Be” in Ancient Greek is the sixth part of a series edited by JWM Verhaar with the overall title, The Verb “Be”… More
On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle’s Metaphysics A
– "On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle's Metaphysics A," Review of Metaphysics, 32, No. 2 (Dec 1978): 205-215. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: “Each of Aristotle’s three most theoretical writings begins with a critique of his predecessors but whereas the second books of his Physics and On Soul present his own… More
Review of J. Dudley, Gott und Theoria bei Aristoteles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikomachischen Ethik.
– Review of J. Dudley, Gott Und Theoria bei Aristotles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikocachischen Ethik. The Review of Metaphysics 37, no. 1 (September 1983): 112-13. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: This short book, a German translation of an unpublished English version, with 95 pages of text and 114 of notes, consists of three main chapters: I. The nature of the complete… More
The First Crisis in First Philosophy
– "The First Crisis in First Philosophy," Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 18, No. 1 (1995: 237-248, 1999. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: Virtually everyone knows that Aristotle sometimes lies. His account of the pre-Socratics in the first book of the Metaphysics leaves out of account everything that does not suit… More
The Argument of the Action: Essays on Greek Poetry and Philosophy
– The Argument of the Action: Essays in Greek Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.From the publisher: This volume brings together Seth Benardete’s studies of Hesiod’s Theogony, Homer’s Iliad, and Greek tragedy, of eleven Platonic dialogues, and… More
Review of The Argument of the Action
– Steven Berg, Review of The Argument of the Action, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol 55, no. 1 (2001): 119-21.The Argument of the Action is a collection of essays by Seth Benardete on Greek poetry and philosophy selected and introduced by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. We must be grateful to the… More
Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete
– Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete. Edited by Ronna Burger. With Robert Burman, Ronna Burger, and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002.From the publisher: By turns wickedly funny and profoundly illuminating, Encounters and Reflections presents a captivating and unconventional portrait of the life and works of Seth… More
Shelf Life; A Classicist’s Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation
– Edward Rothstein, "Shelf Life: A Classicist's Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation" (Review of The Argument of the Action) The New York Times, Arts, February 16, 2002.Confessions of ignorance are not usually in a critic’s best interest. But in this case, perhaps, an exception can be made. Ignorance, after all, is now common when confronting Greek… More
Aristotle’s “On Poetics”
– Aristotle - On Poetics. A translation by Seth Benardete and Michael Davis. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine's Press, 2002.The original, Aristotle’s short study of storytelling, written in the fourth century B.C., is the world’s first critical book about the laws of literature. Although the work is… More
In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001)
– Ronna Burger, “In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001),” Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 56:4 (June 2003) 939-941.Excerpt: Seth Benardete was born in Brooklyn, where he grew up with his older brother Jose. His father, Mair Jose, born in Istanbul, was a professor of Sephardic studies and Spanish at… More
Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima
– Richard Velkley, "Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima," Epoche, vol. 7, no. 2 (2003): 189-98.Benardete reads Aristotle as Socratic dialectician writing in treatise form. The sciences of various subject matters appear at first separate (like Platonic eide) but they contain diverging… More
At Homer’s Diner by Mark Blitz
– Mark Blitz, "At Homer's Diner" (Review of Encounters and Reflections) The Weekly Standard, Vol. 28, no. 29, April 7, 2003.There’s a joke that goes: “‘Do you know where we’re supposed to go?’ I said, ‘No.’ So he said, ‘Well let’s go together.’ That’s… More
Review of Encounters and Reflections
– Vincent Renzi, Review of Encounters and Reflections, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Nov. 31, 2003.As editor Ronna Burger notes in her preface (p. x), the present volume is “a project that falls outside the usual categories” of scholarship. While listing him as author, it is… More
The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy
– The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, South Bend: St. Augustine's Press 2012.From the publisher: The Archaeology of the Soul is a testimony to the extraordinary scope of Seth Benardete’s thought. Some essays concern particular authors or texts; others range more… More
Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Steven Berg, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek Political Thought, Vol. 30, no. 2 (2013): 340-343.Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Svetozar Minkov, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Review of Politics, Vol. 75, no. 4 (Fall 2013): 682-685.Being and Politics by Richard Velkley
– Richard Velkley, "Being and Politics: Seth Benardete on Aristotle's Metaphysics" The Political Science Reviewer, vol. 34 (2005): 7-21.Although he will not be remembered principally as an interpreter of Aristotle, Seth Benardete was much engaged with this philosopher throughout his life of teaching and writing. He taught… More
Multimedia
Aristotle’s De Anima III.3–5
– "Aristotle's de anima III.3-5," Review of Metaphysics, 28, no. 4 (June 1975): 611-622. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Aristotle’s De Anima is not a treatise on the human soul. It is as silent about the virtues as it is about memory and empeiria. The soul is mainly considered apart form time and the… More
The Grammar of Being
– "The Grammar of Being," Review of Metaphysics 30, No. 3 (1977): 486-496. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: “Charles H. Kahn’s The Verb “Be” in Ancient Greek is the sixth part of a series edited by JWM Verhaar with the overall title, The Verb “Be”… More
On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle’s Metaphysics A
– "On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle's Metaphysics A," Review of Metaphysics, 32, No. 2 (Dec 1978): 205-215. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: “Each of Aristotle’s three most theoretical writings begins with a critique of his predecessors but whereas the second books of his Physics and On Soul present his own… More
Review of J. Dudley, Gott und Theoria bei Aristoteles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikomachischen Ethik.
– Review of J. Dudley, Gott Und Theoria bei Aristotles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikocachischen Ethik. The Review of Metaphysics 37, no. 1 (September 1983): 112-13. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: This short book, a German translation of an unpublished English version, with 95 pages of text and 114 of notes, consists of three main chapters: I. The nature of the complete… More
The First Crisis in First Philosophy
– "The First Crisis in First Philosophy," Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 18, No. 1 (1995: 237-248, 1999. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: Virtually everyone knows that Aristotle sometimes lies. His account of the pre-Socratics in the first book of the Metaphysics leaves out of account everything that does not suit… More
The Argument of the Action: Essays on Greek Poetry and Philosophy
– The Argument of the Action: Essays in Greek Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.From the publisher: This volume brings together Seth Benardete’s studies of Hesiod’s Theogony, Homer’s Iliad, and Greek tragedy, of eleven Platonic dialogues, and… More
Review of The Argument of the Action
– Steven Berg, Review of The Argument of the Action, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol 55, no. 1 (2001): 119-21.The Argument of the Action is a collection of essays by Seth Benardete on Greek poetry and philosophy selected and introduced by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. We must be grateful to the… More
Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete
– Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete. Edited by Ronna Burger. With Robert Burman, Ronna Burger, and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002.From the publisher: By turns wickedly funny and profoundly illuminating, Encounters and Reflections presents a captivating and unconventional portrait of the life and works of Seth… More
Shelf Life; A Classicist’s Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation
– Edward Rothstein, "Shelf Life: A Classicist's Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation" (Review of The Argument of the Action) The New York Times, Arts, February 16, 2002.Confessions of ignorance are not usually in a critic’s best interest. But in this case, perhaps, an exception can be made. Ignorance, after all, is now common when confronting Greek… More
Aristotle’s “On Poetics”
– Aristotle - On Poetics. A translation by Seth Benardete and Michael Davis. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine's Press, 2002.The original, Aristotle’s short study of storytelling, written in the fourth century B.C., is the world’s first critical book about the laws of literature. Although the work is… More
In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001)
– Ronna Burger, “In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001),” Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 56:4 (June 2003) 939-941.Excerpt: Seth Benardete was born in Brooklyn, where he grew up with his older brother Jose. His father, Mair Jose, born in Istanbul, was a professor of Sephardic studies and Spanish at… More
Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima
– Richard Velkley, "Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima," Epoche, vol. 7, no. 2 (2003): 189-98.Benardete reads Aristotle as Socratic dialectician writing in treatise form. The sciences of various subject matters appear at first separate (like Platonic eide) but they contain diverging… More
At Homer’s Diner by Mark Blitz
– Mark Blitz, "At Homer's Diner" (Review of Encounters and Reflections) The Weekly Standard, Vol. 28, no. 29, April 7, 2003.There’s a joke that goes: “‘Do you know where we’re supposed to go?’ I said, ‘No.’ So he said, ‘Well let’s go together.’ That’s… More
Review of Encounters and Reflections
– Vincent Renzi, Review of Encounters and Reflections, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Nov. 31, 2003.As editor Ronna Burger notes in her preface (p. x), the present volume is “a project that falls outside the usual categories” of scholarship. While listing him as author, it is… More
The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy
– The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, South Bend: St. Augustine's Press 2012.From the publisher: The Archaeology of the Soul is a testimony to the extraordinary scope of Seth Benardete’s thought. Some essays concern particular authors or texts; others range more… More
Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Steven Berg, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek Political Thought, Vol. 30, no. 2 (2013): 340-343.Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Svetozar Minkov, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Review of Politics, Vol. 75, no. 4 (Fall 2013): 682-685.Being and Politics by Richard Velkley
– Richard Velkley, "Being and Politics: Seth Benardete on Aristotle's Metaphysics" The Political Science Reviewer, vol. 34 (2005): 7-21.Although he will not be remembered principally as an interpreter of Aristotle, Seth Benardete was much engaged with this philosopher throughout his life of teaching and writing. He taught… More
Teaching
Aristotle’s De Anima III.3–5
– "Aristotle's de anima III.3-5," Review of Metaphysics, 28, no. 4 (June 1975): 611-622. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Aristotle’s De Anima is not a treatise on the human soul. It is as silent about the virtues as it is about memory and empeiria. The soul is mainly considered apart form time and the… More
The Grammar of Being
– "The Grammar of Being," Review of Metaphysics 30, No. 3 (1977): 486-496. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: “Charles H. Kahn’s The Verb “Be” in Ancient Greek is the sixth part of a series edited by JWM Verhaar with the overall title, The Verb “Be”… More
On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle’s Metaphysics A
– "On Wisdom and Philosophy: The First Two Chapters of Aristotle's Metaphysics A," Review of Metaphysics, 32, No. 2 (Dec 1978): 205-215. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: “Each of Aristotle’s three most theoretical writings begins with a critique of his predecessors but whereas the second books of his Physics and On Soul present his own… More
Review of J. Dudley, Gott und Theoria bei Aristoteles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikomachischen Ethik.
– Review of J. Dudley, Gott Und Theoria bei Aristotles: Die metaphysische Grundlage der Nikocachischen Ethik. The Review of Metaphysics 37, no. 1 (September 1983): 112-13. Reprinted in The Archaeology of the Soul, 2012.Excerpt: This short book, a German translation of an unpublished English version, with 95 pages of text and 114 of notes, consists of three main chapters: I. The nature of the complete… More
The First Crisis in First Philosophy
– "The First Crisis in First Philosophy," Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 18, No. 1 (1995: 237-248, 1999. Reprinted in The Argument of the Action, 2000.Excerpt: Virtually everyone knows that Aristotle sometimes lies. His account of the pre-Socratics in the first book of the Metaphysics leaves out of account everything that does not suit… More
The Argument of the Action: Essays on Greek Poetry and Philosophy
– The Argument of the Action: Essays in Greek Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.From the publisher: This volume brings together Seth Benardete’s studies of Hesiod’s Theogony, Homer’s Iliad, and Greek tragedy, of eleven Platonic dialogues, and… More
Review of The Argument of the Action
– Steven Berg, Review of The Argument of the Action, The Review of Metaphysics, Vol 55, no. 1 (2001): 119-21.The Argument of the Action is a collection of essays by Seth Benardete on Greek poetry and philosophy selected and introduced by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis. We must be grateful to the… More
Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete
– Encounters and Reflections: Conversations with Seth Benardete. Edited by Ronna Burger. With Robert Burman, Ronna Burger, and Michael Davis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002.From the publisher: By turns wickedly funny and profoundly illuminating, Encounters and Reflections presents a captivating and unconventional portrait of the life and works of Seth… More
Shelf Life; A Classicist’s Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation
– Edward Rothstein, "Shelf Life: A Classicist's Starting Point: Putting Aside Interpretation" (Review of The Argument of the Action) The New York Times, Arts, February 16, 2002.Confessions of ignorance are not usually in a critic’s best interest. But in this case, perhaps, an exception can be made. Ignorance, after all, is now common when confronting Greek… More
Aristotle’s “On Poetics”
– Aristotle - On Poetics. A translation by Seth Benardete and Michael Davis. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine's Press, 2002.The original, Aristotle’s short study of storytelling, written in the fourth century B.C., is the world’s first critical book about the laws of literature. Although the work is… More
In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001)
– Ronna Burger, “In Memoriam: Seth Benardete (1930-2001),” Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 56:4 (June 2003) 939-941.Excerpt: Seth Benardete was born in Brooklyn, where he grew up with his older brother Jose. His father, Mair Jose, born in Istanbul, was a professor of Sephardic studies and Spanish at… More
Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima
– Richard Velkley, "Prelude to First Philosophy: Seth Benardete on De Anima," Epoche, vol. 7, no. 2 (2003): 189-98.Benardete reads Aristotle as Socratic dialectician writing in treatise form. The sciences of various subject matters appear at first separate (like Platonic eide) but they contain diverging… More
At Homer’s Diner by Mark Blitz
– Mark Blitz, "At Homer's Diner" (Review of Encounters and Reflections) The Weekly Standard, Vol. 28, no. 29, April 7, 2003.There’s a joke that goes: “‘Do you know where we’re supposed to go?’ I said, ‘No.’ So he said, ‘Well let’s go together.’ That’s… More
Review of Encounters and Reflections
– Vincent Renzi, Review of Encounters and Reflections, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Nov. 31, 2003.As editor Ronna Burger notes in her preface (p. x), the present volume is “a project that falls outside the usual categories” of scholarship. While listing him as author, it is… More
The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy
– The Archaeology of the Soul: Platonic Readings of Ancient Poetry and Philosophy by Seth Benardete, edited by Ronna Burger and Michael Davis, South Bend: St. Augustine's Press 2012.From the publisher: The Archaeology of the Soul is a testimony to the extraordinary scope of Seth Benardete’s thought. Some essays concern particular authors or texts; others range more… More
Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Steven Berg, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Polis: The Journal for Ancient Greek Political Thought, Vol. 30, no. 2 (2013): 340-343.Review of The Archaeology of the Soul
– Svetozar Minkov, Review of The Archaeology of the Soul, Review of Politics, Vol. 75, no. 4 (Fall 2013): 682-685.Being and Politics by Richard Velkley
– Richard Velkley, "Being and Politics: Seth Benardete on Aristotle's Metaphysics" The Political Science Reviewer, vol. 34 (2005): 7-21.Although he will not be remembered principally as an interpreter of Aristotle, Seth Benardete was much engaged with this philosopher throughout his life of teaching and writing. He taught… More