He explains that justice is generally thought to mean a state of character that disposes us to perform just acts, behave in a just manner. Pleasure, happiness 1 two opposed views about pleasure. Friendship in book 8 and 9 of aristotle s nicomachean ethics 1512 words 7 pages. Our discussion will be adequate if it has as much clearness as the subjectmatter admits of, for precision is not to be sought for alike in all discussions, any more than in all the products of the crafts. An interview with professor roger crisp, editor of aristotle s nicomachean ethics duration. At the outset, aristotle distinguishes between universal justice, which is a general trait of the virtuous character, and particular justice, which is the primary concern of book v. Particular justice deals with honor, money, and safety because these are zero sum goods. Explicate aristotle s arguments in nicomachean ethics, book ii, chapter 5. Aristotle s goal in nicomachean ethics, book i, is to argue that since there cannot be an infinite number, of merely extrinsic goods, there must be a highest good, to which all human activity ultimately aims aristotle 1. Within book 8 and 9 of aristotle s nicomachean ethics, he concludes that an excellent friendship is the most choiceworthy good an individual can externally attain aristotle 149, 1170a, section 7.
Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Analysis for book iii he begins by distinguishing between actions that are voluntary and those that are involuntary. Virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue in the main owes both its birth and its growth to teaching for which reason it requires experience and time, while moral virtue comes about as a result of habit, whence also its name ethike is one that is formed by a slight variation from the word ethos habit. He clearly believes that we are born disposed to receive virtues, but that our education and habituationpractical application of principles to daily actionhave the upper hand in forming our characters. Having examined virtue in the abstract, aristotle examines each particular virtue, starting with courage, which he defines as the appropriate attitude toward fear. The laws encourage people to behave virtuously, so the just person, who by definition is lawful, will necessarily be virtuous. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of nicomachean ethics. In this paper, i offer a reconstruction of aristotle s arguments in book 2, chapter 5 of the nicomachean ethics. Quotes book i every craft and line of inquiry, and likewise every action and decision, seems to seek some good. We could only see how powerful these objections are by spelling them out more fully and considering what aristotle s response would be. Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. Aristotle acknowledges its importance by giving it a book of its own the only virtue to have this. This statement, which appears in book i, chapter 3, is the first of a number of caveats with which aristotle warns us not to expect any precise rules or codes of. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means.
For this reason also the question is asked, whether happiness is to be acquired by learning or by habituation or some other sort of training, or comes in. A summary of book iii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Aristotle s work in the nicomachean ethics is considered one of his greatest achievements, and by extension, one of the greatest pieces of philosophy from the ancient world. Aristotle treats happiness as an activity, not as a state. A summary of book i in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. The point is that happiness consists of a certain way of life, not of certain dispositions. By using sophocless antigone, i will support aristotle s theory of virtue in which he.
Aristotles conception of virtue as something learned through habit rather than through reasoning makes a great deal of practical sense. In this video, professor thorsby discusses the first three books of aristotle s nicomachean ethics. The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. Accompanied by illuminating commentary and an exceptionally rich index, the volume is an ideal companion for those aspiring to learn their way around this classic text. Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. Aristotle revies book 1 2 and 3 of nicomachean ethics. Objections to aristotle argument, nicomachean ethics, book ii. Every art and every kind of inquiry, and like in an lie dou man seelrf wiqe every act and purpose, seems to aim at sorne. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness to summarize, aristotle raises the question of virtue. Nicomachean ethics quizzes about important details and events in every section of. Aristotle s nicomachean ethics, said to be dedicated to aristotle s son nicomachus, is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of western philosophy. This is hardly a digression from the main line of argument.
According to aristotle, moral virtue is a means to an end, happiness. Book beta of the nicomachean ethics by aristotle revolves around the central concept of virtue, in. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. Aristotle provides the teleological approach of how to live well in his collection of lectures, nicomachean ethics. Cliffsnotes on aristotle s ethics explores the ancient greek philosopher and scientists writings on ethics, particularly his analyses of character, pleasure, courage, friendship, and intelligence as ingredients. It represents the most comprehensive expression of all virtue and its the foundation of social life. Much confusion about aristotles work comes not from aristotles lack of clarity, but from an imprecision in translation. The first sentence of the ethics tells us that every activity aims at a certain telos. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the sparknotes aristotle 384322 b. Aristotle s interpretation of ethical virtues an ethical virtue is a habit, disposed towards action, by deliberate choice, being at the mean relative to us, and defined by reason and as a prudent man would define it the nicomachean ethics, book beta, 1107a. If it was an absolute good, it would have to be chosen. Aristotle s ethics sparknotes literature guide volume 7 sparknotes literature guide series paperback june, 2003. One of aristotle s greatest works was the nicomachean ethics. Virtue differs from justice because it deals with ones moral state, while justice deals with ones relations with others.
For instance, one might go to the gym with the telos of becoming fitter. There are different kinds of pleasure, so pleasure is one thing and good another 3. Here well only mention a few points that might give rise to reasonable objections to aristotle s argument. A summary of book viii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Cambridge texts in the history of philosophy includes index.
At the beginning of book ii, aristotle distinguishes between moral virtues. He uses the word energeia, which is the root of our word energy, to characterize happiness. Get free homework help on aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Book i 1 every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship. The best way to become happy takes up much of the rest of the work, as aristotle examines the nature of happiness what sort of actions lead to it. In nicomachean ethics, aristotle goes on to discuss in much more detail what conditions make an action worthy of praise or blame. The work, which plays a preeminent role in defining aristotelian ethics, consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes from his lectures at the lyceum.
Aristotles doctrine, stated most explicitly in book ii, that virtue is a mean state between the vicious extremes of excess and deficiency. Pleasure is not the greatest good because when conjoined with another good, it constitutes a better good 2. Bryn mawr commentaries provide clear, concise, accurate, and consistent support for students making the transition from. That is, a gain for one person results in a corresponding loss for. Study guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Nicomachean ethics quizzes about important details and events in every section of the book.
Every human activity aims at some end, whether it is. Our account of this science will be adequate if it achieves such clarity as the subjectmatter allows. E very art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. Love of pleasure is one of the most fundamental human instincts. Addressing the question of how men should best live, aristotle s treatise is not a mere philosophical meditation on the subject, but a practical examination that aims to provide a guide for living out its recommendations. Would you like us to add this title to our collection.
This virtue seems to be the observance of the mean in relation to wealth. When the framers of the american declaration of independence were thinking of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, there is little doubt they had an acquaintance. A catalogue record for this book is available from the british library library of congress cataloguing in publication data aristotle. Aristotles nicomachean ethics book 10 flashcards quizlet. Analysis for book iii cliffsnotes study guides book.
Aristotle s nichomachean ethics begins with a simple premise, which is that everyone wants to be happy. Because involuntary actions are those over which man has no control at all they do not belong in the field of ethics and man has. Courage, temperance, liberality, magnificence, proper pride, ambition, good temper. Justice can mean either lawfulness or fairness, since injustice is lawlessness and unfairness. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. The nicomachean ethics remains the most compelling of all works on the good human life, and readers can now enjoy ready access to it through david reeves fluent new translation. The nicomachean ethics, aristotle the nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotle s bestknown work on ethics. Aristotle s work extended beyond ethics and philosophy into scientific thought where he was a very important figure in that field as well.
Aristotle in this chapter tries to establish what a virtue is and proceeds roughly as follows. For this reason also the question is asked, whether happiness is to be acquired by learning or by habituation or some other sort of training, or comes in virtue of some divine providence or again by chance. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics. But a difference is observable among these aims or ends.
Aristotles nicomachean ethics essay example 1128 words. When aristotle identifies happiness as the highest goal, he is claiming that happiness is the ultimate telos of any action. Aristotle nicomachean ethics essaysin book ii of nicomachean ethics, aristotle tries to define virtue through the concept of the mean, or intermediate point, where virtue lies somewhere between two extremes. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Since the essential feature of good moral character is liking and disliking the right things, pleasure and pain are important tools in education. In book ii of nicomachean ethics, aristotle presents his definition of virtue in which it is a kind of mean n. In saying that happiness is an energeia, he contrasts happiness with virtue, which he considers a hexis.
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