In books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the nicomachean ethics, aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship. Book i 65k book ii 50k book iii 74k book iv 69k book v 74k book vi 55k book vii 78k book viii 70k book ix 66k book x 71k download. The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. Im not sure which angle i can take and what would be an effective argument. The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by or dedicated to aristotles son, nicomachus. The development of character virtues is by habituation i. The nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotles bestknown work on ethics. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. Friendship is a form of virtue, or at the very least implies the existence of virtue, and in addition is indispensable for human life since man is a social being. Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Aristotles work, the nicomachean ethics, consists of numerous books pertaining to aristotles ethicsthe ethics of the good life. Sometimes such friendships are formed with explicit conditions and sometimes not, but either way, theres a builtin instability. The specific statement which forms the focal point of this study comes from aristotle. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
He justifies this belief by arguing that if the community is in disharmony, so will the person be. From the idea that the level of precision obtained in the study of a subject is limited by the subject matter, the understanding of the human condition, the description of the extremes of human nature, to the insight into the necessary steps required to nurture good behaviour. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. Aristotle notes that disputes are most common in friendships for utility, because people are inclined to want more and to think theyre getting less than they deserve. Rereading it provided me an amazing aha so much more made sense to me. Analysis for book vii cliffsnotes study guides book. Friendship, then, is more about loving than being loved, and loving is the virtue of friends. Nicomachean ethics aristotle faculty of social sciences. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, mullen, hard thinking about values proper function of man aristotle observes that the human body is composed of several distinct parts such as limbs, the other sense organs like eyes, ears, tongue and the head, which carry on some distinct and proper function to render better health. Book 10, chapter 8 1178a91179a32 by exercising the moral virtues courage, moderation, liberality, etc, we achieve a secondary kind of happiness. Currently, in my class i am working on a debate against aristotles arguments of friendship. Book i 65k book ii 50k book iii 74k book iv 69k book v 74k book vi 55k book vii 78k.
The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by. How does happiness involve virtue and diverse goods. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly. Nicomachean ethics quizzes about important details and events in every section of the book. The nicomachean ethics of aristotle by david ross william. An analysis of voluntary and involuntary actions in the nichomachean ethics. The first is that book vii and book x were most likely written at different times and for different purposes, and were only later interpolated into the same book. Aristotle feels individuals and communities are inseparable, whether the community is a family, a tribe, or a city.
Jul 20, 2015 the nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. 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. One lays down the end toward which one is striving for example, a doctor aiming to cure, or an orator looking to persuade, and then examine the ways and means to achieve it. But it at once appears that the important distinction is between goods of the soul on the one hand and all rest the good in the body and those outside and of fortune. Aristotle sees friendship as part of any livable human life. The nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. Aristotle book ii and book v it is aristotles claim that justice is the greatest of the moral virtues. The nicomachean ethicsalong with an earlier inquiry called the eudemian ethicsare part of a larger conversation about community that culminates in his work politics. Aristotle views ethics as a necessary part of political science. The nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics kindle.
An intratextual study of aristotles nicomachean ethics. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Oct 14, 2011 in this lecture from my fall 2011 ethics class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nichomachean ethics books 8 9, where aristotle discusses three main types of friendship and how various. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotles treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Dike justice, eirene peace, and eunomia good law book i, chapter 7. In this lesson, youll get aristotles insight into ethics and, in particular, his approach to moral responsibility and the best way to live. Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight.
Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. Book beta of the nicomachean ethics by aristotle revolves around the central concept of virtue, in. Pleasure is discussed in several parts of the nicomachean ethics and in this particular book attention is directed to the specific ways in which pleasure may influence the course of human conduct. There is a wealth of wisdom embedded in the pages of this book. 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. To summarize, aristotle raises the question of virtue. Aristotles nicomachean ethics, books 89 ethics and. Nicomachean ethics is part of a vast scientific and philosophical system to which a teleological view of the universe is basic. Olivia schoen dan brown ethics 101 8 april 2015 nicomachean ethics as one of the greatest philosophers of all time, aristotle was one of the greats. To be just one has to perform acts not only for ones own good but for the good of others whether that is the government, your neighbor or another individual. Aristotle now discusses what virtue or excellence must be. Aristotles 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.
Aristotles nichomachean ethics begins with a simple premise, which is that everyone wants to be happy. The discussion concerning incontinence which occupies the greater portion of this book brings to light an important characteristic of greek ethics and one that stands in sharp contrast with the views presented in the judeochristian tradition. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness. Chapter viii confirmation of our view in popular ideas on happiness summary the first principle we have arrived at the definition of happiness given above must be tested logically, as a conclusion drawn from premises, and also in the light of generally held opinions on the nature of happiness, for something that. An intratextual study of aristotles nicomachean ethics book vi and the role of the five states of the rational soul. Aristotles nicomachean ethics explained with book summaries in just a few minutes. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 8 of aristotle. Accordingly, we are unsure if the book was dedicated to or inspired by either aristotles father or son. Why is virtuous activity intrinsically enjoyable i. A minidissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree.
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, which were either edited by or dedicated to aristotles son, nicomachus. The first book discloses aristotles belief on moral philosophy and the correlation between virtue and happiness. According to aristotle, deliberation typically concerns situations of uncertain outcome, when one must discern the right way to act. Aristotles nicomachean ethics offers useful tools for the analysis of proper conduct and serves as a guideline and a stable moral platform in a high pace modern world where people all too often strive for futile objectives, driven by greed and fear. Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. In speaking of distributive justice, aristotle gives us a minianalysis of how different types of regimes calculate merit. A comparison of aristotle and platos theory of ethics. Jan 01, 1999 in books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the nicomachean ethics, aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship.
Chapter viii cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. This image from perseus depicts the horai or seasons. Ross book viii 1 after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle written 350 b. In the nicomachean ethics what would be an argument against aristotles book 8 friendship.
Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. This is the kind of happiness that comes from living well and justly in relation to other peoplewhich is quite important, and so very human. Nicomachean ethics has been divided into the following sections. The nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics kindle edition by ross, david, lesley brown, lesley brown, david ross. Accordingly, we are unsure if the book was dedicated to or inspired by either aristotles father or son, or. Significantly, the book vi of the nicomachean ethics specifically deals with the intellectual virtue which is the continuation of the discussion on the moral virtues, covering books. The nicomachean ethics of aristotle translated by william david ross one of the philosophers most studied works, the nicomachean ethics, is here made available in the same translation in the worlds classics. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. If there are various possible means to an end, one. Books v, vi, and vii of the nicomachean ethics also feature in the eudemian ethics, which is aristotles other, less known work on ethics. In this lecture from my fall 2011 ethics class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nichomachean ethics books 8 9, where aristotle discusses three main types of.
Its one of those texts that is worth rereading a couple of times in ones life, for as we mature, we are privy to new insights offered by this great person. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics. Both topics discuss the good for the individual and the community. Here, aristotle identifies virtue as striking a mean between excess and deficiency too much and too little of some characteristic activity. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. E has been one of the most essential philosophical treatises on ethical issues for the last several centuries. All things are to be understood in terms of their purposes, the ends. Sparknotes is here for you with everything you need to ace or teach.
Nicomachean ethics project gutenberg selfpublishing. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. An intratextual study of aristotles nicomachean ethics book. The following are detailed notes of aristotles nicomachean ethics, which. Taken together, these works emphasize aristotles conviction that the political art is the highest goodsince it encompasses the good ends desired by every part of the. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. Book i 1 every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 8 summary. Aristotle nicomachean ethics aristotles best known work on ethics, the nicomachean ethics 350 b. Rereading it provided me an amazing a ha so much more made sense to me. The nicomachean ethics fits within the tradition of moral inquiry known as virtue ethics because of its emphasis on the importance of developing moral or character virtues in order to be good and.
232 886 485 54 789 1513 1374 489 39 1560 885 803 580 1026 881 788 656 1390 539 449 737 1020 1158 1134 1208 94 117 903 257 791 503 1489 806 740 104 683 498 1229 1139 XML HTML