Newman and Aristotle

 If you’re a writer, you may have noticed a certain phenomenon: your writing style, to a certain extent, adapts to that of the author you are currently reading.  Newman’s most frequent allusions are to Aristotle, so he evidently pored over the philosopher’s writings.  Newman not only quotes Aristotle’s ideas, but he imitates his style.  Like Nicomachean Ethics, The Idea of a University is structured in chapters and numbered subdivisions.  Both authors very logically present their arguments or questions, canvass every aspect, define words, anticipate objections, elaborate on examples, methodically establish points, and summarize frequently.  In the case of me reading Newman, I’m afraid I absorbed some of Newman’s nineteenth-century wordiness without mastering his logical, Aristotelian organizational style!