Chapter 22 Eudaemonism The Morality of Self Realization

Chapter 22 Eudaemonism The Morality of Self. Realization

Morality and Human Nature • The root of this Greek way of thinking lies in its teleological perspective • What can humans do that no other creature or object in the universe can do? – Reflect, calculate, put off short-term enjoyment for long-term satisfaction, ask why – Weigh pros and cons, formulate explanations © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Morality and Rationality • For Aristotle, reason is aligned with morality in another sense: – Reason is a necessary ingredient in any moral action, in that an irrational person: • Even with the best of intentions, can do the wrong thing © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Morality and Rationality • Does it follow that the ideally generous person is one who gives: – Whatever money he or she has at the time to anyone who asks for it? • Aristotle: moral virtues, being temperate & courageous require reason in striking the: – Balance required by virtuous conduct © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intellectual and Moral Virtues • For Aristotle, reason is a necessary ingredient in any moral virtue: – But it is also the key to what he calls the intellectual virtue of a life dedicated to: • Reasoning for its own sake – Things are means to ends, which in turn are means to other ends © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Happiness and Pleasure • We sometimes are not sure whether we are happy or not: – Though we can more easily tell whether we are feeling pleasure or pain • Aristotle is able to say that happiness is the goal of life, and that pleasure is not: – The most significant part of a happy life © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics • Aristotle (384– 322 b. c. e. ): Greek philosopher born in Stagira in Thrace – Aristotle’s father, Nicomachus, was a court physician to the King of Macedon • And sent Aristotle to Athens, where he became associated with Plato © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics • And a member of the Academy for over twenty years – After Plato’s death, Aristotle accepted the position as tutor to Alexander: • Son of Philip II of Macedon. – Alexander is now better known to us as Alexander the Great. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics – Returning to Athens around 335, Aristotle founded his own school called the Lyceum: • Whose members carried on their philosophical discussion while walking: – Giving rise to the label “the peripatetics. ” Courtesy of the Library of Congress © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics • All knowledge and every pursuit aims at some good • To say that happiness is the chief good seems a platitude: – And a clearer account of what it is is still desired © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics • Self-sufficiency • Virtue is a state of character concerned with choice • With regard to anger also there is an excess, a deficiency, and a mean © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.