Encountering the works of ancient philosophers often presents a unique challenge for writers and students, primarily because the standard expectations for academic sourcing do not directly apply. When you engage with the foundational texts of Western thought, you are not merely referencing a book; you are entering a dialogue that spans millennia. To cite Aristotle correctly is to navigate a landscape defined by historical translation, editorial organization, and established academic convention. This process requires a specific set of skills that differ significantly from citing modern monographs or journal articles.
The primary complexity lies in the fact that Aristotle’s original works, composed in Classical Greek, do not exist as unified volumes ready for citation. Instead, they survive as fragments, notes, and treatises that were compiled and edited over centuries. Consequently, the modern scholar relies on standardized translations that are meticulously organized into volumes, chapters, and often, Bekker numbers—a system of pagination established by the nineteenth-century editor Immanuel Bekker. Understanding this structure is the first step toward mastering how to cite this foundational thinker without losing the nuance of his arguments.
Understanding the Two Citation Systems
Before diving into specific formats, it is essential to recognize that citing Aristotle generally involves two distinct systems working in tandem. The first is the universal system used for academic references, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style, which handles the publication details of the translation you consulted. The second is the internal referencing system specific to Aristotelian texts, which uses Bekker numbers or section numbers to pinpoint the exact location of an idea. Mastering both ensures that your reader can verify your source with precision.
Bekker Numbers: The Geographic Map
For scholars in the humanities, particularly in philosophy and classics, the Bekker number is the most critical element of an Aristotelian citation. This system divides Aristotle’s works into columns (a and b) and assigns a page number, followed by a letter indicating the column (a, b, or γ). For example, the famous opening line of the *Nicomachean Ethics*, "Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and purpose, is thought to aim at some good," is cited as 1094a1. When you cite Aristotle on a specific point, you are primarily guiding your reader to this internal geography rather than a page number in your printed book.
Integrating Translation Details
While Bekker numbers locate the idea, the citation must also identify the linguistic vessel that carries it to your reader. You must specify the translator and the publication year to allow others to find the exact wording. Whether you are using the widely respected *Oxford Translation* edited by W.D. Ross, the accessible *Penguin Classics* edition by J.A.K. Thomson, or a more recent interpretation, this information forms the backbone of your external citation. The quality of your translation choice can significantly impact the clarity and credibility of your argument, so selecting a reputable version is paramount.
Formatting in MLA and APA
In MLA style, the Works Cited entry for Aristotle would focus on the specific translation. A standard format would list the translator’s last name, followed by the title of the work in italics, the publisher, and the year of publication. In the in-text citation, you would then combine this with the Bekker number, usually separated by a space or a period, depending on the specific style guide you are following. For instance, a citation might look like (Aristotle, *Nicomachean Ethics* 1094a) or (Ross 1094a), assuming the translator is noted in the header. APA style follows a similar pattern but places slightly more emphasis on the date of the translation, treating the ancient text much like a work with a clear publication year.
