Aristotle Aristotle 384 322 BCE Student at Platos

Aristotle

Aristotle (384 -322 BCE) • Student at Plato’s Academy • Tutor to Alexander the Great • Founded his own school later, the Lyceum • Agrees with Plato in some areas; also sharp disagreements • Interested in all areas of inquiry • Pioneered logic as a formal area of study

Nicomachean Ethics • The human good • “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. ”

Nicomachean Ethics • The human good • “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. ” • Some ends are subordinate to others • Example: Bridle-making is subordinate to riding.

Nicomachean Ethics • The human good • “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. ” • Some ends are subordinate to others • Example: Bridle-making is subordinate to riding. • But not every end can be subordinate to another, so there must be some end that is desired for its own sake.

Nicomachean Ethics • The human good • “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. ” • Some ends are subordinate to others • Example: Bridle-making is subordinate to riding. • But not every end can be subordinate to another, so there must be some end that is desired for its own sake. • For human beings, this end is eudaimonia.

Nicomachean Ethics • Eudaimonia: sometimes translated as “happiness” but more accurately as “flourishing”

Nicomachean Ethics • A thing is good when it fulfills its characteristic function well. • Example: A good flute player is one who plays the flute well.

Nicomachean Ethics • A thing is good when it fulfills its characteristic function well. • Example: A good flute player is one who plays the flute well. • What is the function of human beings? • The function of human beings must be unique to humans.

Nicomachean Ethics • A thing is good when it fulfills its characteristic function well. • Example: A good flute player is one who plays the flute well. • What is the function of human beings? • The function of human beings must be unique to humans. • Life and perception are shared by other organisms. • Reason is unique to human beings. • Therefore, rational activity is the essential defining characteristic of human beings.

Nicomachean Ethics • A thing is good when it fulfills its characteristic function well. • Example: A good flute player is one who plays the flute well. • What is the function of human beings? • The function of human beings must be unique to humans. • Life and perception are shared by other organisms. • Reason is unique to human beings. • Therefore, rational activity is the essential defining characteristic of human beings. • Aristotle: The human good consists of excellent activity involving reason.

Nicomachean Ethics • Virtues • The human good consists of activity in accordance with virtue.

Nicomachean Ethics • Virtues • The human good consists of activity in accordance with virtue. • A virtue is a state of character, a steady disposition to act, think, and feel in particular ways.

Nicomachean Ethics • Virtues • The human good consists of activity in accordance with virtue. • A virtue is a state of character, a steady disposition to act, think, and feel in particular ways. • Virtues direct us to choose the “mean” between extremes, avoiding both excess and defect.

Nicomachean Ethics • Virtues • The human good consists of activity in accordance with virtue. • A virtue is a state of character, a steady disposition to act, think, and feel in particular ways. • Virtues direct us to choose the “mean” between extremes, avoiding both excess and defect. • Aristotle distinguishes between moral virtues and intellectual virtues.

The Doctrine of the Mean • Virtues are a mean between extremes – a vice of excess and a vice of deficiency

The Doctrine of the Mean • Virtues are a mean between extremes – a vice of excess and a vice of deficiency • Cowardice – Courage – Rashness • Insensible – Moderate – Excessive • Apathetic – Good temper – Irascible • Undue humility – Pride – Vanity • Boorishness – Wit -- Buffoonery

Voluntary action and moral responsibility • Praise and blame are only rightly bestowed on voluntary actions. • An action is voluntary only if: • It is not done under compulsion. • It is not done due to ignorance of the circumstances. • The principle that generates the action is within the agent. • Moral virtue involves voluntary actions, so we can be praised for being virtuous and blamed for being vicious.

Friendship • Three kinds of “friends”

Friendship • Three kinds of “friends” • Friendship of utility • Friendship of pleasure • Complete friendship

Friendship • Three kinds of “friends” • Friendship of utility • Friendship of pleasure • Complete friendship • True friendship involves the development of virtue • Care about the friend for the friend’s sake

The Good Life • The best kind of life consists of excellent rational activity. • “If happiness is activity in accordance with virtue, it is reasonable that it should be in accordance with the highest virtue; and this will be that of the best thing in us. … The activity of this in accordance with its proper virtue will be perfect happiness. ” • The highest virtue is wisdom, so the best life will be a life of contemplation.