Plato and Aristotle

? Which came first: the Chicken or the Idea of a chicken?

Aristotle ( BCE) Student of Plato Teacher of Alexander the Great Started Lyceum Studied biology, astronomy, botany, moral philosophy, logic Developed syllogisms –All people are mortal –Socrates was a person –Therefore, Socrates is Mortal Founder of scientific thought “I cannot let Athens sin against philosophy twice”

What is “essence”? Entelechy?

Plato Aristotle Plato’s Ideals Nature of “Form” Relationship Between tangible And intangible Senses Relationship Between knowledge and happiness

Aristotle’s Four Causes ? Can you come up with a real world example of his 4 part causal explanation? (Not the ex. in the book.) Material Formal Efficient Final We only have proper knowledge of a thing when we understand its causes.

Explain these things by the 4 causes: The material cause The formal cause: The efficient cause: The final cause: A healthy person

The material cause: “that matter out of which” –e.g., the bronze that goes into a statue. The formal cause: “the form”,“the potential plan for the matter”; “the account of what-it-is-to-be” –e.g., the intended shape of a statue. The efficient cause: “the primary source of the change ”, “the hands” –e.g.,the artisans’s art of bronze-casting the statue. The final cause: “the end, that for the sake of which a thing is done”; (could exist w/o deliberation) –e.g., the stimulation of observers to think, consider virtue of Leonidas’ courage and aesthetics. –e.g. a boat, to take people safely across water to other places –e.g., health is the end of: walking, losing weight, healthy foods, not taking addictive drugs, and surgical tools, etc

What causes a happy person? Define Cause: “That as the result of whose presence something comes into being” - Aristotle, Metaphysics

Aristotle’s Moral Philosophy What is his summon bonum? Happiness … How did he define this? We confuse happiness with pleasure, good health, wealth, knowledge… –these are the means but not the goal of life How can we be truly happy? We need to know how to act and we need habits that we act on in the long term….that is intellectual virtue and moral virtue

Aristotle’s Golden Mean Developing good habits in balance cowardice courage foolhardiness shy friendlinessoverbearing virtue

3 Forms of Happiness Individual – Eudaemonia – a way of life based on planning, choices and overall pleasure Social – being a free citizen Eternal – being a philosopher/ thinker

Aristotle Today Science of Happiness! or Positive Psychology 7 Scientifically Researched Traits of the Happy: People who are most happy have any 5 or more of these qualities: 1.Use your strengths and virtues to work toward goals 2.Communicate well: Keep close friendships 3.Care: those who care for others or volunteer 4.Exercise the body 5.Absorbed in your work: “get into a flow” 6.Positive thinking: Optimism and gratitude 7.Spiritual or religious engagement For more info see

Martin Seligman’s Self Survey on Character Strengths and Virtues edu/Default.aspxhttp:// edu/Default.aspx VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaire

Tonight’s HW: Write a Reflection Compare yesterday’s survey activity (the worksheet on Golden Means) and the VIA survey…Reflect on your character strengths from the survey…Was it accurate? how can you take advantage of your strengths ? What areas could you work on?