Economics (Aristotle)

This article is about the treatise sometimes said to be written by Aristotle. For the similarly named Socratic dialogue by Xenophon, see Oeconomicus.

The Economics (Latin Oeconomica, Greek Οἰκονομικων) 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^[1].

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.

Notes

1. ^ Pomeroy, Sarah B.(1995). Oeconomicus: A Social and Historical Commentary, p. 68. Oxford University Press. Preview. ISBN 01981502531995).

• Armstrong, G Cyril, "Introduction to Oeconomica", Aristotle XVIII, Loeb Classical Library 

See also

• Politics (Aristotle)
• Oeconomicus by Xenophon