Citing Aristotle’s works can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the Bekker numbering system.
But fear not! In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of citing Aristotle’s works in APA style.
Whether you’re a student struggling with a research paper or a scholar looking to publish your work, our step-by-step guide will help you navigate the complexities of referencing Aristotle’s texts.
So sit back, relax, and let us show you how to cite Aristotle APA style like a pro!
How To Cite Aristotle Apa
When citing Aristotle’s works in APA style, it’s important to follow a few key guidelines. First and foremost, it’s essential to use the correct Bekker numbering system when referencing specific passages or quotes from Aristotle’s texts.
The Bekker numbering system is a unique number system developed specifically for Aristotle’s works, and it’s used to identify specific passages within his texts. While the page and column numbers are usually easy to find, determining line numbers can be tricky unless you have access to the original Greek text.
When citing Aristotle’s works, it’s also important to include the year of the translation or version you used, preceded by “trans.” or followed by “version.” If you know the original publication date of the work, you should include that as well.
In-text citations should include the name of the book (often abbreviated), page or chapter/verse (if applicable), or canto, original publication date/publication date. If you’re only using one version of a particular work, you only need to include the version in the first in-text citation.
When it comes to adding classical texts like those by Aristotle to a reference list, different referencing systems have different rules. APA, for instance, says that ancient Greek texts don’t need to be included in the reference list as long as you clearly identify the version used in citations. However, it’s usually a good idea to list texts by Plato and Aristotle in your reference list.
Introduction To Aristotle And His Works
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who lived from 384-322 BCE. He was a student of Plato and tutored Alexander the Great. Aristotle’s works cover a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, ethics, politics, biology, and physics. His ideas and theories have had a profound impact on Western philosophy and continue to be studied and debated to this day.
One of Aristotle’s most famous works is the Nicomachean Ethics, which explores the nature of human happiness and how it can be achieved. Another important work is Politics, in which Aristotle discusses different forms of government and how they can be structured to promote the common good.
When citing Aristotle’s works in APA style, it’s important to use the correct Bekker numbering system to identify specific passages within his texts. This system was developed specifically for Aristotle’s works and is still used today by scholars. In addition to Bekker numbers, it’s also important to include the year of the translation or version used, as well as the original publication date if known.
Understanding The Bekker Numbering System
The Bekker numbering system is a unique citation system developed specifically for Aristotle’s works. It is based on the page numbers used in an edition of the complete works of Aristotle edited by the philologist August Immanuel Bekker. The system consists of up to three ordered coordinates: a number, the letter a or b, and another number. These coordinates refer respectively to the page number of Bekker’s edition of the Greek text of Aristotle’s works, the page column, and the line number.
For example, the Bekker number denoting the beginning of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is 1094a1, which corresponds to page 1094 of Bekker’s edition, first column (column a), line 1. All modern editions or translations of Aristotle intended for scholarly readers use Bekker numbers, in addition to or instead of page numbers.
When citing Aristotle’s works using the Bekker numbering system, it’s important to include the title of the book you’re citing, a book and chapter number from the collected Bekker edition, and the page, section, and line numbers from the Bekker edition. For example, a citation for Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics might look like this: Being happy takes a complete lifetime (Nicomachean Ethics, 1.7, 1098a16).
It’s worth noting that determining line numbers from an English translation can be tricky unless you have access to the original Greek text. This is because Greek and English differ enough that an intelligible translation won’t necessarily put the parts of a sentence in the same order they had in the Greek, nor will the phrases always be of comparable length. Nonetheless, thanks to Dr. Therese Bonin from Duquesne University for explaining this system.
Citing Aristotle’s Works In-text
When citing Aristotle’s original text in translation, it’s important to cite the Bekker pagination, not the pagination of the English translation. This means including the title of the work, the Bekker pagination, and the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited in parentheses following the quote. For example: “Men naturally desire knowledge” (Metaphysics, 980a, Ackrilled).
After the first citation of Aristotle’s original text in translation, a footnote or endnote should be given with either J. Barnes’ Complete Works of Aristotle or J.L. Ackrill’s A New Aristotle Reader, depending on which edition you’re using. Each time you cite the original text, you should include the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited.
When referencing books by Aristotle, include the author’s initial(s) and last name, place and date of publication, and page number(s) in your first reference. For subsequent references to the same author, use an abbreviation of the title of the author’s work in square brackets.
When referencing articles in periodicals, include the author’s initial(s) and last name, name of the periodical, volume number, date of publication, full page extent of the article, and page number(s) of the material referenced in your first reference. For subsequent references to the same article, use an abbreviation of the title of the author’s work in brackets.
If you’re citing an electronic resource like a journal article from a database service or an article from an internet site without an identified author or date, make sure to follow APA guidelines for electronic resources. This includes including retrieval date and URL information.
Citing Aristotle’s Works In The Reference List
When citing Aristotle’s works in the reference list, there are a few different formats you can use depending on the specific referencing system you’re using. In general, you should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the translator (if applicable), the publication information (including the edition number and date), and any relevant page or line numbers.
For example, if you were citing Aristotle’s Politics in APA style, your reference list entry might look like this:
Aristotle. (1905). Aristotle’s Politics (R. D. Hicks, Trans.). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
If you were citing Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics in Chicago style, your reference list entry might look like this:
Aristotle, Robert C. Bartlett, and Susan D. Collins. (2011). Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Chicago; London: University of Chicago Press.
It’s important to note that when citing classical works like those by Aristotle, it’s often necessary to include additional information in your reference list entry to help readers locate the specific version of the work you used. This might include information about the editor responsible for the edition you used, or details about the specific translation you relied on.
Examples Of How To Cite Aristotle’s Works In APA Style
Here are some examples of how to cite Aristotle’s works in APA style:
1. Citing a specific passage from the Nicomachean Ethics:
“Being happy takes a complete lifetime” (Nicomachean Ethics, 1.7, 1098a16).
In this example, “Nicomachean Ethics” refers to the title of the book, “1.7” refers to the book and chapter number from the collected Bekker edition, and “1098a16” is the pinpoint citation (page 1098, section a, line 16).
2. Citing Aristotle’s original text in translation:
“Men naturally desire knowledge” (Metaphysics, 980a, Ackrilled).
In this example, “Metaphysics” refers to the title of the work, “980a” refers to the Bekker pagination (not the pagination of the English translation), and “Ackrilled” is the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited.
3. Citing a book by Aristotle:
Initial(s) and last name of author. (Year of publication). Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher.
For example:
Aristotle. (1998). Nicomachean Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Citing an article in a periodical:
Initial(s) and last name of author. (Year of publication). Title of article. Name of periodical, volume number(issue number), page numbers.
For example:
Graham, D.W. (1988). Symmetry in the Empedoclean Cycle. Classical Quarterly, 38(4), 221-265.
5. Citing a journal article from a database service:
Initial(s) and last name of author. (Year of publication). Title of article. Title of journal volume(issue), page numbers. Database service. Library location. Retrieval date.
For example:
Michael, J. (2004). On Ideas: Aristotle’s Criticism of Plato’s Theory of Forms. Journal of the History of Philosophy, 34(1), 137-138. Academic Search Premier. Owensboro Community & Technical College Library, Owensboro, KY.
6. Citing a magazine article from a database service:
Initial(s) and last name of author. (Year of publication). Title of article. Title of magazine, date, page numbers. Database service. Library location. Retrieval date.
For example:
Smith, J. (2010). Aristotle’s Ethics for the Modern World. Time, June 14, 45-48. Academic Search Premier. University of California Library, Los Angeles, CA.
7. Citing an article from an internet site:
“Title of article.” (Year of posting or latest update). Name of internet site. Name of sponsoring organization. Retrieval date
For example:
“GVU’s 8th WWW User Survey.” (2002). Department of Social Sciences. Georgia Tech University. August 8, 2000
Tips For Citing Aristotle’s Works Accurately And Efficiently
To cite Aristotle’s works accurately and efficiently, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:
1. Use the Bekker numbering system for identifying specific passages within Aristotle’s texts. This system is unique to Aristotle’s works and is essential for accurately referencing his work.
2. If you’re using an English translation of Aristotle’s works, it can be challenging to determine the line numbers. It’s best to use the original Greek text if possible.
3. Include the year of the translation or version you used when citing Aristotle’s works, preceded by “trans.” or followed by “version.” If you know the original publication date of the work, include that as well.
4. When citing Aristotle’s works in-text, include the name of the book (often abbreviated), page or chapter/verse (if applicable), or canto, original publication date/publication date. If you’re only using one version of a particular work, you only need to include the version in the first in-text citation.
5. While ancient Greek texts like those by Aristotle don’t need to be included in the reference list according to APA guidelines, it’s usually a good idea to list texts by Plato and Aristotle in your reference list for clarity and completeness.
By following these tips, you can cite Aristotle’s works accurately and efficiently in your academic writing.
