Essay on Nicomachean Ethics - 1014 Words

Through books one to three in Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle distinguishes between pain and happiness, clarifying the endless war that men face in the path of these two extremes. Man’s quest for pleasure is considered by the self-conscious and rational Aristotle; a viewpoint traditionally refuted in contemporary, secular environments. Immediately, Aristotle alleges that all actions aim for good, thus proposing that all human activity is to be of some good. These activities attempt to meet a greater end; a chief good met by subordinate desires. However, Aristotle introduces that the nature of good is presumed by convention, not nature, and are administered by politics. Governments determine which sciences and arts are studied, who studies†¦show more content†¦Therefore, Aristotle concludes that happiness is self-sufficient. It is what makes life desirable and good; the ending of the action. Further, to understand what is good, we need to understand the function of man, for good is found in the function. It cannot be life, since life is a shared trait with animals. The human good is to do excellent in one’s function, rather than just executing that function, â€Å"For the function of a lyre-player is to play the lyre, and that of a good lyre player is to do well† (371). Since excellence is displayed in function, the human good only exists when the soul is conformed to excellence. This excellence must be shown in activity rather than state, since the latter does not achieve results. Aristotle then describes a classical belief that those who are noble have a pleasant life, since all things noble are naturally pleasant. Thus, happiness is the best, noblest and most pleasant thing, aided by the existence of external pleasures. Aristotle distinguishes two kinds of excellence: intellectual and moral. Intellectual excellence is learned through teaching, building experience with time, whereas moral excellence comes from habit. He also recognizes that man is naturally premoral for moral habits do not naturally exist. We learn by constant repetition, building habits which reflect our moral extremes, good or bad. Thus, nature makes us programmable; habits which a man forms in his youth shape his character; to beShow MoreRelatedThe Ethics Of The Nicomachean Ethics1356 Words   |  6 PagesIn one of his most popular works, Nicomachean Ethics, The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, debates a variety of subjects in order to obtain a better understanding of virtue and what it means to be a virtuous character. One virtue that is extensively examined by Aristotle in book VII of the Nicomachean Ethics, is friendship. He debates that friendship is complete virtue and above justice and morality in which is why it shoul d be so highly valued. His interpretation of friendship is abundantlyRead MoreThe Ethics Of Nicomachean Ethics1367 Words   |  6 Pages 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. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. One of his theories of ethics that he written in the form of 10 books was Nicomachean Ethics, this theory consisted of Aristotle’s perspective on the life of man and what makes a good life for man. Personally, I think his theory of ethics is a good outline of how to be an ethicalRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Nicomachean Ethics1140 Words   |  5 PagesAristotle begins Nicomachean Ethics is with the statement â€Å"Every craft and every line of inquiry, and likewise every action and decision seems to seek some good.† (Aristotle Bk.1, Ch.1). This is a fitting way to begin, as it addresses exactly what the entire book hopes to convey. 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By definitionRead MoreEssay on The Contradictions in Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics778 Words   |  4 Pageson my list, I would put art. It allows an inner, more down-to-earth part of me to be expressed that cannot be done in words. All these things are actions and they define who I am. Without them I dont know what I would do. In Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics there is emphasis on the importance of action. From action of life, friendship, and happiness (which are voluntary actions), to action of reason (which is a rational faculty of the mind), we could not exist without action. To begin withRead MoreNicomachean Ethics Essay951 Words   |  4 PagesIn the book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle uses his collection of lecture notes in order to establish the best way to live and acquire happiness. Aristotle says, â€Å"Virtue, then, is a state that decides consisting in a mean, the mean relative to us,.. .It is a mean between two vices, one of excess and one of deficiency.† The virtues that Aristotle speaks about in Nicomachean Ethics are: bravery, temperance, generosity, magnificence, magnanimity, and mildness. According to Aristotle, in order to live