Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics I

ARISTOTLENICOMACHEAN ETHICS

I

Prof. Dan Russell

Ormond College University of Arizonawww.theseymourreader.com www.danielcrussell.com


I

Who’s that?

Stagira, 384

Athens, 367

Assos, Lesbos, 347

Stagira, 384

Athens, 367

Assos, Lesbos, 347

Royalacademy,

343

Athens, 335

Chalcis, 323


I

What’s that?


I

MeaningHappinessGoodness

Aristotle, NE I:(1) Thinking about your life

2 main ideas:

A. Thinking about your life requires

a “final end”

B. That final end is eudaimonia

A. “Final ends”

Greek: telos

Doing one thing for the sake of something

“For-the-sake-of”: forming “chains”


A. “Final ends”

“For-the-sake-of” chains:Cannot go on foreverCannot loop back on themselves


A. “Final ends”

Where a chain ends:An end we pursue for it own

sakeNot pursued for the sake of

anything elseEverything else in the chain is

for its sake


A. “Final ends”

Aristotle:How many ends like that couldthere be in your life?

One!


A. “Final ends”

Aristotle:How many ends like that couldthere be for different people?

One!


A. “Final ends”

Why would he say that?Because he thinks we all do have the

same, single goal:To live a good life!


A. “Final ends”

Your life is an opportunityIt’s because that opportunity matters

that any other opportunity mattersMaking the most of it: finding things to

live for


A. “Final ends”

Your life is an opportunityBut how do I know which things to live

for?And how do I know that living for them

will add up to a good life?


B. “Eudaimonia”

Your life is an opportunityBut how do I know which things to live

for?And how do I know that living for them

will add up to a good life?



I


The Greek word:“eu-” “good” (prefix)“daimōn” “guardian spirit”

But what does it mean?

Aristotle, NE I:(2) Eudaimonia

Happiness

Often, it’s the name of a feeling.Here, it’s the name of a future.


Happiness

But what is it?


Happiness

The thing we all want out of lifeAgreement

What we each take that thing to beDisagreement


Happiness

The thing we all want out of life

What we each take that thing to be


Could agreement here …

… help us settle disagreement here?

HappinessWhat would happiness have to be like

in order for it to be our final end in life?

Active




Up to you




Stable




Good for it own sake




Comprehensive




Self-sufficient




Distinctly human


Happiness

What ticks all the boxes?


Happiness

Having things to live forLiving for them in an excellent

way:With wisdomWith emotional health


Happiness




These things are for you to decide!

Happiness



Aristotle, NE I:(2) Eudaimonia This is

what philosophy can help you understand


I


Happiness



Aristotle, NE I:(3) The virtues

In other words, with the virtues

Happiness is impossible without virtuous activity

Aristotle does not mean a certain type of activity –

“good deeds”


Happiness is impossible without virtuous activity

Aristotle means any type of activity – provided it is done with wisdom and emotional

health



I

Prof. Dan Russell

Ormond College University of Arizonawww.theseymourreader.com www.danielcrussell.com

Thanks for coming!

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics I

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