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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good; . . . ” (NE I,1). What is the chief good we aim at? Answer : Happiness. Question : But how do you define happiness?.

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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

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  1. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics • “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good; . . . ” (NE I,1). • What is the chief good we aim at? • Answer: Happiness. • Question: But how do you define happiness?

  2. I, 4-5: Common Opinions on the Meaning of Happiness • Happiness = PLEASURE? • “pleasure” refers to physical enjoyment. • Happiness = HONOR? • Happiness = WEALTH? • Happiness = CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE?

  3. I, 6: Meaning and Types of “Good” • Difficulty re: the Form of the Good. • Honor truth more than our friends (Plato)! • “Good” is an adjective used in many way • re: Substances • re: Accidents • Non-relative goods: good in themselves • Relative goods: • good or useful for something else.

  4. I,7: The Specific Human Good • Happiness is a non-relative good: • = good in itself. • Relative goods are chosen for the sake of happiness. • Characteristics of Happiness: • self-sufficient • desirable • complete • goal or end of action (final cause)

  5. Argument for Nature of Happiness • Everything has a natural function(s) • IF it functions well, we call it “good.” • Human beings have a function(s). • Functioning is related to soul, as source of motion/action • Living = functioning • Living well = functioning well. • Functioning well means to function with excellence = arete = virtue. • Human excellence = functioning with virtue. • In keeping with the highest and best functions.

  6. Living = functioning • Living well = functioning well. • Functioning well means to function with excellence = arete = virtue. • Human excellence = functioning with virtue • in keeping with the highest and best functions.

  7. I, 7: Definition of Happiness (Formal Cause) • “Human good” [= happiness] is • activity of soul [genus] • in conformity with the best and most complete excellence. [specific difference]

  8. Greek terms • Happiness (ευδαιμονία - eudaimonia:) • Activity of soul (ένεργείαψυχής – • energeia psuches • According to excellence/virtue (άρετη – • arete)

  9. Happiness is: • Happiness is a good of the soul. • Happiness is for the noble and good person. • Happiness requires external goods • for life and human functioning • to do good deeds • Happiness obtained by some kind of learning/training.

  10. I,13: Nature of Human Soul • non-rational functions + rational functions • / \ / \ • / \ / \ • nutrition appetite intellectual • growth desires • reproduction • ↓ ↓ • Moral Virtues Intellect. Virtues • (or vices) (or vices)

  11. Two Types of Virtues • Virtues or excellences of character • Are we born with them? • How do we acquire them? • By practice, habituation • Virtues or excellences of the mind • Are we born with them? • How do we acquire them? • By studying, teaching, learning: formal/informal

  12. Acquiring virtue: • Moral virtue: It is a habit of character. • How do you acquire a habit? • Intellectual virtue: • Acquired by teaching, study, and experience.

  13. Do I have a virtue, e.g., courage? • 1. Is it a habit? • 2. Can you act with a certain ease in frightening situations? • e.g.: speaking up when someone is insulting you or someone else in your presence?

  14. Questions • Does performing a good action mean you have the virtue? • For example, giving a donation. • How would you tell?

  15. Questions • Is virtue “pleasant”? • Why? • Can it be pleasant if it take effort? How?

  16. II, 6: Definition of Virtue( 1107 a 1-4) • “(Moral) virtue” is a state of character • [genus) • 2) concerned with choice, • 3) lying in a mean, • 4) a mean relative to us, • 5) this mean being established by reason, • 6) in the way a person of practical wisdom would discern it.

  17. III: Freedom and Choice • Are we free? • How do you know? • Are you “free” when under peer pressure? • To what extent? • Are we free when very angry? • Or feeling very lazy? • What might limit freedom? • What might limit responsibility?

  18. III, 1-2: Human Action • Voluntary • Involuntary (= against our will) • Mixed: partly voluntary, partly involuntary • Non-voluntary (act of a human, but not a human action formally speaking)

  19. Principle (standard) for Determining Degree of Freedom • Human Actions • (in terms of the source of motion/action) • Voluntary (moved by self) • / | \ • With deliberation From From Passion • and choice anger

  20. III, 2 (cont) • Involuntary Action • (moved by outside source) • / \ • Affecting Mind Affecting Will • Ignorance Forced • / \ • Of end Of circumstances

  21. Mixed Human Actions • Mixed Human Actions • / \ • Regarding Regarding • Particular Action: Case in General: • voluntary involuntary • (e.g., fear)

  22. Quiz, NE Book I, Nov. 24 • 1. What do all our actions aim at? • 2. Which of Aristotle’s causes does #1 employ? • 3. Name 3 popular views or ways of defining happiness. • 4.Explain a weakness of one popular view. • 5. Give Aristotle’s formal definition of happiness.

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