Having said this, aristotle cant end his discussion here, because it isnt enough to study virtue, but to act on what one has learned. The nicomachean ethicsalong with an earlier inquiry called the eudemian ethicsare part of a larger conversation about community that culminates in his work politics. In book three of the nicomachean ethics, aristotle explains the difference between voluntary and involuntary action as. Nicomachean ethics study guide literature guide litcharts. 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. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. Nicomachean ethics essays are academic essays for citation. Here, aristotle identifies virtue as striking a mean between excess and deficiency too much and too little of some characteristic activity. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 8 summary. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. In his nicomachean ethics, aristotle contemplates at human virtues and their correlation with happiness. In this passage, aristotle explains the aim of his inquiry in nicomachean ethics as a whole. Nicomachean ethics is part of a vast scientific and philosophical system to which a teleological view of the universe is basic.
The best study guide to nicomachean ethics on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. Friendship is clearly necessary and splendid, but people disagree on its precise nature. 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. Aristotle also clarifies that while loving is a feeling, friendship is a state. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Get free homework help on aristotles nicomachean ethics. E has been one of the most essential philosophical treatises on ethical issues for the last several centuries.
Thus, he believes that a person has to be angry in some situations, while being angry is not appropriate in other situations. Literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 8 of aristotles philosophical text nicomachean ethics. Book vii deepens the discussion of pleasure and selfmastery. Book x gives a concluding discussion of pleasure, sets forth the supreme satisfactions of the life of theoretical activity, and finally makes a transition to the politics, the companion text to be read along with the nicomachean ethics. Friendship in these two books, aristotle talked about friendship. Aristotles work, the nicomachean ethics, consists of numerous books pertaining to aristotles ethicsthe ethics of the good life. Book 10, chapter 8 1178a91179a32 by exercising the moral virtues courage, moderation, liberality, etc, we achieve a secondary kind of happiness.
Get aristotles nicomachean ethics support my work here philosophy tutorials. The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of aristotles ethics. Nicomachean ethics aristotle faculty of social sciences. Moral responsibility is the blame or praise that our actions deserve. The good life as it has been described in the earlier books of the ethics finds its culmination in the virtue of friendship.
Cliffsnotes on aristotles ethics explores the ancient greek philosopher and scientists writings on ethics, particularly his analyses of character, pleasure, courage, friendship, and intelligence as ingredients. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book 8, chapter 3, section 8. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. But a difference is observable among these aims or ends. All things are to be understood in terms of their purposes, the ends. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Philosophers aim to define our moral responsibility. 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. The specific statement which forms the focal point of this study comes from aristotle. 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.
Friendship requires decision, which comes from a state. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes. He believes that being ethical provides an opportunity to be happy. Aristotle sees friendship as part of any livable human life. Molly struxness ethics december 10, 2012 the nicomachean ethics book viiiix summary. Nicomachean ethics book eight summary and analysis. Besides, it is most necessary for human life, for no one would choose to live without friends, even when having all other goods. Also, the friendship of good people is one of equality. Im leaning on the side that it is a good normative theory, as it allows for human beings to be flexible. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 8. Book beta of the nicomachean ethics by aristotle revolves around the central concept of virtue, in. He started by stating what the three different types of friendship are.
The first book discloses aristotles belief on moral philosophy and the correlation between virtue and happiness. 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. Aristotle says that a different type of friendship is that which rests on superioritylike, for instance, the relationship between. 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. Start studying aristotles nicomachean ethics book 3. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle it is the purpose of the study of ethics to discover the nature of the highest good and to find the appropriate means for its realisation. Every art and every kind of inquiry, and like in an lie dou man seelrf wiqe every act and purpose, seems to aim at sorne. Chapter 8 1168a281169b2 there is also a question whether one should love oneself or someone else most of all. Aristotle nicomachean ethics aristotles best known work on ethics, the nicomachean ethics 350 b. In his nicomachean ethics, aristotle aims to answer the questions of what makes a human good, what happiness is, and how we as humans may use our goodness, if we possess it, to achieve the end of happiness in our lives. 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.
Chapter 1 1155a31155b16 after this it would follow that we explore friendship in detail. Aristotles nicomachean ethics book 3 flashcards quizlet. Aristotle on friendship based on virtue nicomachean ethics book 8. In books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the.
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. Here aristotle sets out to examine the nature of happiness, and argues that happiness consists in activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, including moral virtues. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. This book centers the discussion on the topic of friendship.
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. Im currently working on a paper about if nicomachean ethics is a good normative theory or not. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics february 7, 2011 february 20, 2011 neel burton 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. Aristotle explains that mere arguments about virtue arent enough to make people behave decently. Currently, in my class i am working on a debate against aristotles arguments of friendship. Aristotles nichomachean ethics begins with a simple premise, which is that everyone wants to be happy. Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good. For example, health is the end of medicine, a boat the end of boatbuilding, and. Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight. Acting in accordance with virtuous principles is a key to attaining happiness. An intratextual study of aristotles nicomachean ethics. Book i 1 every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good.
Book 8, chapter 10 1160a351161a9 to continue a discussion of community, aristotle moves on to the issue of rule. This type of friendship is all about getting a benefit from someone else, and it will change according to circumstances. Friendship consists of a mutual feeling of goodwill between. According to aristotle, every craft, line of inquiry, action, and decision seeks some end, or good, but these goods differ. The development of character virtues is by habituation i. In this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics.
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. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in nicomachean ethics, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Im not sure which angle i can take and what would be an effective argument. This is all about friendship, which aristotle first defines and then breaks down into three types.
For aristotle, the question of how to be happy is the question of how. Aristotles nicomachean ethics explained with book summaries in just a few minutes. While most of our actions are done for the sake of some higher end, there is an ultimate end beyond which we wish nothing more. 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. 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. Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. In the nicomachean ethics what would be an argument against aristotles book 8 friendship.
For people criticize those who like themselves most. In nicomachean ethics, aristotle notes that as a condition to be held. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. After this, the next step would be a discussion of friendship, since it is a virtue or involves virtue, and is. Previously published as ethics, aristotles the nicomachean ethics addresses the question of how to live well and originates the concept of cultivating a virtuous character as the basis of his ethical system. For it is thought to be most intimately connected with our human nature, which is the reason why in educating the young we steer them by the rudders of pleasure and pain.