Citing Aristotle’s works can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the Bekker numbering system.
But fear not, as we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of citing Aristotle’s works in MLA format.
Whether you’re a student or a researcher, this guide will help you accurately cite Aristotle’s works and avoid any confusion.
So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive into the world of Aristotle’s citations!
How To Cite Aristotle Mla
When citing Aristotle’s works in MLA format, it’s important to follow a specific set of guidelines. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Start with the title of the work you’re citing, such as “Nicomachean Ethics” or “Politics.”
2. Next, include the book and chapter number from the collected Bekker edition. For example, “1.7” would refer to Book 1, Chapter 7.
3. Finally, include the page, section, and line numbers from the Bekker edition. For example, “1098a16” would refer to page 1098, section a, line 16.
Here’s an example of how to cite a quote from Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics” using MLA format:
“Being happy takes a complete lifetime” (Nicomachean Ethics, 1.7, 1098a16).
It’s important to note that when citing Aristotle’s original text in translation, you should use the Bekker pagination rather than the pagination of the English translation.
Additionally, each time you cite Aristotle’s original text in translation, you should include the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited.
When citing books or articles in periodicals, be sure to include the author’s name, place and date of publication, and page numbers. If you will be citing the same author multiple times, use an abbreviation of their work in subsequent references.
For electronic resources such as journal articles or magazine articles from database services or internet sites, follow specific guidelines for each type of source.
By following these guidelines and paying attention to detail, you can accurately cite Aristotle’s works in MLA format and avoid any confusion or errors.
Introduction To Aristotle’s Works
Aristotle is one of the most influential philosophers in history, and his works have been studied and debated for centuries. To properly cite his works, it’s important to understand the unique numbering system used by scholars, known as Bekker Numbers.
Bekker Numbers were developed specifically for Aristotle’s works and consist of a three-part system: book and chapter number, page number, and line number. While the page and chapter numbers are usually easy to find in modern editions of Aristotle’s works, determining the line numbers can be more challenging, especially if you’re working with an English translation.
It’s important to note that when citing Aristotle’s original text in translation, you should use the Bekker pagination rather than the pagination of the English translation. This ensures consistency across different translations and editions.
In addition to the Bekker Numbers, it’s also important to include the name of the editor responsible for the work being cited. This information should be included each time you cite Aristotle’s original text in translation.
When citing books or articles in periodicals, be sure to include the author’s name, place and date of publication, and page numbers. If you will be citing the same author multiple times, use an abbreviation of their work in subsequent references.
Understanding The Bekker Numbering System
The Bekker numbering system is a standard method of citation used for the works of Aristotle. It is named after August Immanuel Bekker, the editor of the Prussian Academy of Sciences edition of Aristotle’s complete works. The system consists of up to three ordered coordinates, which include a number, the letter a or b, and another number that refer to the page number of Bekker’s edition of the Greek text of Aristotle’s works, the page column (a standard page of Bekker’s edition has exactly two columns), and the line number.
It’s important to note that while the page and column parts of the Bekker number are easy to arrive at, determining line numbers from an English translation can be tricky unless you have the Bekker edition and know Greek. 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. Add in the fact that editions and translations use various page dimensions and type sizes, and there’s usually some approximation when you say that a passage begins and ends on particular lines in your translation.
Most modern editions or translations of Aristotle intended for scholarly readers use Bekker numbers, in addition to or instead of page numbers. Contemporary scholars writing on Aristotle use Bekker numbers so that the author’s citations can be checked by readers without having to use the same edition or translation that the author used.
Bekker numbering has the advantage that its notation is unambiguous as compact numerical information, although it relies upon the ordering of Aristotle’s works as presented in Bekker’s edition. Catholic or Thomist scholars often use the medieval method of reference by book, chapter, and sentence, albeit generally in addition to Bekker numbers.
MLA Formatting For In-Text Citations
When citing Aristotle’s works in MLA format, it’s important to provide specific information about the edition and translation you are using. The standard way to provide citations for Aristotle is to use the Bekker numbers, which are consistent throughout any translation or edition.
To cite a quote from Aristotle’s work, start with the title of the work, such as “Nicomachean Ethics,” followed by the book and chapter number from the collected Bekker edition. For example, “1.7” would refer to Book 1, Chapter 7. Finally, include the page, section, and line numbers from the Bekker edition. For example, “1098a16” would refer to page 1098, section a, line 16.
It’s important to note that when citing Aristotle’s original text in translation, you should use the Bekker pagination rather than the pagination of the English translation. Additionally, each time you cite Aristotle’s original text in translation, you should include the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited.
When citing books or articles in periodicals, be sure to include the author’s name, place and date of publication, and page numbers. If you will be citing the same author multiple times, use an abbreviation of their work in subsequent references.
For electronic resources such as journal articles or magazine articles from database services or internet sites, follow specific guidelines for each type of source.
By following these guidelines and paying attention to detail, you can accurately cite Aristotle’s works in MLA format and avoid any confusion or errors.
MLA Formatting For Works Cited Page
When creating a Works Cited page for an article on how to cite Aristotle in MLA format, there are specific guidelines to follow. Here are the steps you need to take:
1. Start with the author’s last name, followed by their first name. If there is no author listed, start with the title of the work.
2. Next, include the title of the work in italics, followed by the translator’s name (if applicable), the edition number (if applicable), and the publication information.
3. For Aristotle’s works specifically, include the Bekker numbers in parentheses after the title.
4. If you are citing a specific passage or quote, include the page, section, and line numbers from the Bekker edition in parentheses after the Bekker numbers.
Here’s an example of how to cite Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics” in MLA format:
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by W.D. Ross, edited by Lesley Brown, Oxford University Press, 2009. (1098a16-17)
It’s important to note that for electronic resources such as journal articles or websites, you should follow specific guidelines for each type of source. Additionally, be sure to double-check your formatting and citation information to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.
By following these guidelines for MLA formatting on your Works Cited page, you can properly cite Aristotle’s works and give credit where it is due.
Examples Of Citing Aristotle’s Works In MLA Format
Here are some examples of how to cite Aristotle’s works in MLA format:
1. Citing a quote from “Nicomachean Ethics”:
“Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good” (Nicomachean Ethics, 1094a1-2).
2. Citing a quote from “Politics”:
“Man is by nature a political animal” (Politics, 1253a1).
3. Citing Aristotle’s original text in translation:
“Men naturally desire knowledge” (Metaphysics, 980a, Ackrilled).
4. Citing a book:
Aristotle. Politics. Translated by Benjamin Jowett, Oxford University Press, 1998.
5. Citing an article in a periodical:
Graham, D.W. “Symmetry in the Empedoclean Cycle.” Classical Quarterly, vol. 38, no. 2, 1988, pp. 221-65.
6. Citing an article from a database service:
Michael. “On Ideas: Aristotle’s Criticism of Plato’s Theory of Forms.” Journal of the History of Philosophy, vol. 34, no. 1, 2004, pp. 137-38. Academic Search Premier.
7. Citing an article from an internet site:
“GVU’s 8th WWW User Survey.” Department of Social Sciences, Georgia Tech University, 2002, http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/usersurveys/survey199710.
Remember to always use the Bekker pagination when citing Aristotle’s original text in translation and to include the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited each time it is referenced. By following these examples and guidelines, you can properly cite Aristotle’s works in MLA format.
Tips For Accurate And Consistent Citations
In order to ensure accurate and consistent citations when citing Aristotle’s works, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:
1. Use the Bekker pagination: As mentioned earlier, the Bekker pagination is the standard way to cite Aristotle’s works in academic writing. This ensures consistency across different versions and translations, meaning that readers do not need the same edition as the author to check references.
2. Include the editor’s name: Each time you cite Aristotle’s original text in translation, you should include the name of the editor who is responsible for the work being cited. This helps to ensure accuracy and consistency in your citations.
3. Pay attention to detail: When citing Aristotle’s works, pay close attention to details such as book and chapter numbers, page numbers, section numbers, and line numbers. Make sure to double-check your citations for accuracy and consistency.
4. Use abbreviations for subsequent references: If you will be citing the same author multiple times, use an abbreviation of their work in subsequent references. This helps to streamline your citations and make them easier to read.
5. Follow specific guidelines for electronic resources: When citing electronic resources such as journal articles or magazine articles from database services or internet sites, follow specific guidelines for each type of source. This may include including a DOI or URL.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your citations of Aristotle’s works are accurate and consistent, making it easier for readers to follow your research and verify your sources.
