Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

• “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good; . . . ” (NE I,1).

• What is the chief good we aim at?• Answer: Happiness.

• Question: But how do you define happiness?

I, 4-5: Common Opinions on the Meaning of Happiness

• Happiness = PLEASURE?• “pleasure” refers to physical enjoyment.

• Happiness = HONOR?

• Happiness = WEALTH?

• Happiness = CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE?

I, 6: Meaning and Types of “Good”

• Difficulty re: the Form of the Good.• Honor truth more than our friends (Plato)!

• “Good” is an adjective used in many way• re: Substances• re: Accidents

• Non-relative goods: good in themselves• Relative goods: • good or useful for something else.

I,7: The Specific Human Good

• Happiness is a non-relative good:• = good in itself.• Relative goods are chosen for the sake of

happiness.

• Characteristics of Happiness:• self-sufficient• desirable• complete• goal or end of action (final cause)

Argument for Nature of Happiness

• Everything has a natural function(s)• IF it functions well, we call it “good.”• Human beings have a function(s).• Functioning is related to soul, as source of motion/action

• Living = functioning

• Living well = functioning well.• Functioning well means to function with excellence =

arete = virtue.• Human excellence = functioning with virtue.• In keeping with the highest and best functions.

• Living = functioning

• Living well = functioning well.

• Functioning well means to function with excellence = arete = virtue.

• Human excellence = functioning with virtue• in keeping with the highest and best functions.

I, 7: Definition of Happiness (Formal Cause)

• “Human good” [= happiness] is

• activity of soul [genus]

• in conformity with the best and most complete excellence. [specific difference]

Greek terms

• Happiness (ευδαιμονία - eudaimonia:)

• Activity of soul (ένεργεία ψυχής –

• energeia psuches

• According to excellence/virtue (άρετη –

• arete)

Happiness is:

• Happiness is a good of the soul.

• Happiness is for the noble and good person.

• Happiness requires external goods• for life and human functioning• to do good deeds • Happiness obtained by some kind of

learning/training.

I,13: Nature of Human Soul

• non-rational functions + rational functions• / \ / \• / \ / \• nutrition appetite intellectual• growth desires • reproduction • ↓ ↓• Moral Virtues Intellect. Virtues• (or vices) (or vices)

Two Types of Virtues

• Virtues or excellences of character• Are we born with them?• How do we acquire them?• By practice, habituation

• Virtues or excellences of the mind• Are we born with them? • How do we acquire them?

• By studying, teaching, learning: formal/informal

Acquiring virtue:

• Moral virtue: It is a habit of character.

• How do you acquire a habit?

• Intellectual virtue:

• Acquired by teaching, study, and experience.

Do I have a virtue, e.g., courage?

• 1. Is it a habit?

• 2. Can you act with a certain ease in frightening situations?

• e.g.: speaking up when someone is insulting you or someone else in your presence?

Questions

• Does performing a good action mean you have the virtue?

• For example, giving a donation.

• How would you tell?

Questions

• Is virtue “pleasant”?

• Why?

• Can it be pleasant if it take effort? How?

II, 6: Definition of Virtue( 1107 a 1-4)

• “(Moral) virtue” is a state of character • [genus)• 2) concerned with choice,• 3) lying in a mean,• 4) a mean relative to us,• 5) this mean being established by reason,

• 6) in the way a person of practical wisdom would discern it.

III: Freedom and Choice

• Are we free?• How do you know?• Are you “free” when under peer pressure?• To what extent?• Are we free when very angry? • Or feeling very lazy?

• What might limit freedom?

• What might limit responsibility?

III, 1-2: Human Action

• Voluntary

• Involuntary (= against our will)

• Mixed: partly voluntary, partly involuntary

• Non-voluntary (act of a human, but not a human action formally speaking)

Principle (standard) for Determining Degree of Freedom

• Human Actions

• (in terms of the source of motion/action)

• Voluntary (moved by self)

• / | \

• With deliberation From From Passion

• and choice anger

III, 2 (cont)

• Involuntary Action

• (moved by outside source)

• / \

• Affecting Mind Affecting Will

• Ignorance Forced

• / \

• Of end Of circumstances

Mixed Human Actions

• Mixed Human Actions

• / \

• Regarding Regarding

• Particular Action: Case in General:

• voluntary involuntary

• (e.g., fear)

Quiz, NE Book I, Nov. 24

• 1. What do all our actions aim at?

• 2. Which of Aristotle’s causes does #1 employ?

• 3. Name 3 popular views or ways of defining happiness.

• 4.Explain a weakness of one popular view.

• 5. Give Aristotle’s formal definition of happiness.