In this video, professor thorsby offers a lecture on the fourth book of aristotles nicomachean ethics. The moral of aristotle is an ethics based on actions. Having discussed courage and temperance in book iii, aristotle now moves through the rest of the virtues, discussing them one by one. For it is more characteristic of virtue to do good than to have good done to one, and more characteristic to do what is noble than not to do what is. Its evident why deliberation is important, and that virtue isnt a matter of mechanically applying certain principles. Aristotle deals with virtues concerning money here. Philosophy revision on aristotles nicomachean ethics, book one learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Nicomachean ethics summary and analysis of book four. The achievement of happiness, according to aristotle, is the end goal of every man. We all want to know the answer to that one and aristotle pondered this. This virtue seems to be the observance of the mean in relation to wealth. Moral virtue is acquired by the repetition of the corre sponding acts.
The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Among its most outstanding features are aristotles insistence that there. We see that all men mean by justice that kind of state of character which makes people disposed. The next virtue we will discuss is generosity, which is a mean with regard to. Collins in our associations with one another, both in living together and in sharing in speeches and actions, some people are held to be obsequious. A summary of book iv in aristotles nicomachean ethics. The nicomachean ethics is one of the greatest works of aristotle, the famous philosopher who was really much more of a scientist than a philosopher. Nicomachean ethics aristotle faculty of social sciences. Aristotles work, the nicomachean ethics, consists of numerous books pertaining to aristotles ethicsthe ethics of the good life. All human activities are done in order to attain something that is good. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 4 summary. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. Aristotles work in the nicomachean ethics is considered one of his greatest achievements, and by extension, one of the greatest pieces of philosophy from the ancient world.
The nicomachean ethics is one of aristotles great works and discusses virtues. Virtues of character aim at the mean between extremes of feelings e. They are public domain translations, easily found online, but are handy if you want a hardcopy. In philosophy, ethics is the attempt to offer a rational response to the question of how humans should best live. This is an engaging and accessible introduction to the nicomachean ethics, aristotles great masterpiece of moral philosophy. Aristotles nicomachean ethics, uc davis philosophy 1, g. Rereading it provided me an amazing aha so much more made sense to me. Aristotles nicomachean ethics book vi prudence youtube. 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 ethics and virtues humanities libertexts. 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. Our investigation shall follow the same course as the preceding discussions. Along with plato, aristotle is known as a founding father of western philosophy, and philosophy has grown up from his teachings, thousands of years later. When the framers of the american declaration of independence were thinking of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, there is little doubt they had an acquaintance. Acts of virtue are noble, and are performed for the sake of their nobility. On aristotle nicomachean ethics 1 4 7 8 available for download and read online in other formats. Michael pakaluk offers a thorough and lucid examination of the entire work, uncovering aristotles motivations and basic views while paying careful attention to. This copy of aristotles nicomachean ethics includes a biography and extensive introduction. In the nicomachean ethics aristotle sets out to examine the nature of happiness. Wastefulness is an excess while stinginess is a deficiency. Aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 4 translated from the original greek by robert c. In book three of the nicomachean ethics, aristotle explains the difference between voluntary and involuntary action as well as total passivity.
The nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to. Download pdf on aristotle nicomachean ethics 1 4 7 8 book full free. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. A summary tommy maranges look, bros dont do shit for no reason. The question is explain aristotles idea, in book one of ethics, that true happiness is activity that expresses virtue. In addition, most of these activities are not the main objective, but rather a means to a higher end. We dont do something because we think it will be bad for us.
Sometimes we want to get rich, sometimes we want to get laid, whatever. A generous man will give to the right person, the right amounts and at the right times. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Similarly, the person with the virtue of wit will say and listen to the right things and in the right way. Aristotle first used the term ethics to name a field of study developed by his predecessors socrates and plato. Book vii of the nicomachean ethics is identical to book vi of the eudemian ethics.
Having the virtue of truthfulness means being direct, honest, and not embellishing the things one says. The ten books which comprise it are based on notes from his lectures at the lyceum and were either edited by or dedicated to aristotles son, nicomachus in nicomachean ethics, aristotle focuses on the importance of continually behaving virtuously and developing virtue rather than committing. The extremes related to this virtue are vanity thinking one is worthy of more than they really are and pusillanimity thinking one is worthy of less. Some philosophers, on the other hand, have thought. Virtue is hard work, but work isnt bad, not if youre doing what you love to do. Dover thrift editions are the most affordable paperback classics out there. Aristotle nicomachean ethics aristotles best known work on ethics, the nicomachean ethics 350 b. Book i 1 every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good. The excerpts that follow include reflection on happiness in aristotles terms, this is known as eudaimonia and on moral virtues, which aristotle considered key to the living on an.
The nicomachean ethics, aristotles most important study of personal morality and the ends of human life, has for many centuries been a widelyread and influential book. 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. The conditions of virtuous action as distinct from artistio production. The next virtue we will discuss is generosity, which is a mean with regard to property. The virtue of magnanimity is concerned with great things. The ethics also discusses the nature of practical reasoning, the value and the objects of pleasure, the. 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. So yeah, a virtuous man enjoys his virtue, and takes pride in learning it, and improving himself, even if he has to sweat it out once in a while. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle the internet classics archive. This is the book where he indulges in the discussion of happiness, virtue, ethics, politics, and really anything else describing the way in which human beings functioned together in the society of. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive.
Aristotles ethics stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The magnanimous person is one who both thinks himself worthy of great things and is really worthy of them. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. 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. He argues that happiness consists in the soul acting in accordance with virtue, which encompasses moral courage, generosity, justice and intellectual knowledge, wisdom, insight virtues. It is proper to the generous man to give to whom he should. In explaining this idea, be sure to take into account what aristotle says about the human soul, the idea of function, and pleasure. 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. We have reasons when we do things we act with ends in mind, whatever those ends may be. Pdf on aristotle nicomachean ethics 1 4 7 8 download.
197 654 1211 308 1090 910 1328 1013 670 431 1036 714 1132 880 685 554 332 265 796 1493 1293 831 187 552 779 913 1260 337 920 1056 1268 813 497 1170 290 820 1196 720 1022 1015 1313 177 722 487 297 1237 202 11