Practical Wisdom in Aristotle's Ethics: The Path to Eudaimonia

1. Aristotle’s Ethics MODULE 6: Lesson 1: Practical Wisdom

2. The Good for Man = Eudaimonia • Good life  ‘good for man’ = eudaimonia • human life = rational, social and physical • Defn = “rational activity with virtue in a complete life”(I.7) • human life = rational, social and physical • rational activity of planning and living your own life

3. Definition of Moral Virtue • A habit or state of character that expresses a personal choice • Which finds a mean relative to us • As determined by rationalprinciple, i.e. guided by values a morally wise person would see are at stake • Contributes essentially to capacity for eudaimonia

4. Virtues of a Good Life (I.13) • MVs/character governs • C: esp. fear • T: esp. phys. lust • L: holding on to $ • PP: not seeking honors • J: will to grant/see others’ rights • F: care for others Intellect/IV sees • C: worth of risk • T: hit ‘mean’ • L: spend well • PP: pick fine goal & means • J: apply criteria fairly • place in whole life

5. Arte.g. sculptor, doctor Makes particular useful things They wouldn’t otherwise exist Ignorant error worse than deliberate error Sciencee.g. chemist necessary, universal laws to Reason (nous) = Recognizes theoretical principles Recognizes principles in actual situations Practical Wisdom Right values (not art) Deliberative skill (not science) Self-knowledge “Truth” in action (not theory) E.g. Coach Theoretical Wisdom Logic, Physics, Ethics Vision of “God/good” Truth in cognition Virtues of the Mind (NE VI)

6. Practical Reason and Truth OBJECTIVISM Rational deliberation = for rational ends Ends = function of ‘objective good of man’/activities Rational person  “Good action-plan of life,” chooses means well to lasting goals Truth in ethics, ‘natural’ standard SUBJECTIVISM • Rational deliberation = rational means to ends • Ends = function of desire, not rational or irrational • Rational  chooses means well to whatever goals they have, as goals change • No truth in ethics, no ‘natural standard’

7. Does moral knowledge exist? • Knowledge = “justified true belief” • Geometry: A2 + B2 = C2 • Biology: genes a, b  disease Z (95%) • “Justified” • Empirically • Theoretically • Moral knowledge? • Churchhill: “We must fight” • Brother: “Must talk to Sis” • Justified? • Facts re: situation • Values liberty > life • Doctor knows: • fact: needs Y for H • Rule/self: must do -> H • how: get Y right

8. Practical Reason At Work Practical reason • Ends established by choice and thought • Choose means in light of ends • “Life of reason” implies • Respect law/justice • Respect/love for virtue • Communities of shared interest/deliberation • Desire for theoretical, practical achievement • Plan for a good life • Valuing rationality/truth • ‘Happy’/active attitude • Practical syllogism • It is good to live within ‘limits’ as regards sense-pleasures • This situation tempts me to ‘overdo’ noble/human limits • I am n/h should restrain myself • Refrain! (Action) • Practical wisdom • Timely desirability (kairos) • Careful deliberation re situation • Coherence of choice to other ends, “form of life” • Reasoning & the virtues: does this fit my values? • Acts on moral knowledge = practical

9. Choice, Reason, AgencyChoice is either desiring reason or rational desire, and defines man as a principle of action.” V I C E • Moral • Bad habits/impulses of emotion, desire • Bad choices, principles of character (vicious person) • Intellectual • Poor reasoning re: means • False concept of ends (e.g. cunning) • No self-knowledge V I R T U E • Moral • Good habits/impulses of emotion, desire • Noble choices, principles of character (excellent person) • Intellectual • Solid reasoning re: means • True concept of ends (wisdom) • Self-knowledge

10. Weakness of will/Self-deception • Jill has quit many times, but : “I know I should, I just can’t quit smoking.” • Jack knows it is wrong to cheat on his wife, but keeps doing it: “I know I shouldn’t, and I feel bad about it. This is the last time, I mean it.” • Socrates: “No one can know the good and not choose it.” • Common: “People can know what they should do, but still choose not to do it.”

11. Aristotle’s Analysis NE VII.1-4 WW have moral knowledge (MK) in general: 1. MK: “I know X is wrong (bad) for people/me and I should not do it.” Passion blurs MK in situ: 2. Insight: “This is X (I’m human) and I should do not do it.” WW don’t reach moral conclusion = decision: 3. [Refrain from X!] • “Mean” position: • vs. Socrates: people do act vs. their ‘MK’ • vs. Common view: people who do this do not ‘choose’  they lack MSK (“language of actors”) • Questions: • Addiction/psychology • Vices or diseases? • Alternative analysis • Passion/Self-D  different reasoning: “It would be unsociable not to drink.”

12. Which is worse? • Weakness of will • At least know what you should be doing • But each act makes you more irresolute • So eventually ‘conscience’ gives way, person accepts vice • Loss of self-respect, leads  self-deception • Moral Vice • May be just natural & learned? • Reason, new experience can  ethics change • Vice becomes firmly ingrained • Experience may come too late