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 Some ends are subordinate to others “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 Some ends are subordinate to others “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 Some ends are subordinate to others “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.