• 480 Words
• 2 Pages

In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discussed his theory of happiness and attempted to answer the many questions related to what makes people happy. Questions asked were “What is the purpose of human existence?” “What is the end goal we are trying to achieve so that we know how we should conduct ourselves?” With so many people seeking pleasure through a variety of means such a wealth, reputation, personal belongings and friends, they may be missing the mark when it comes to happiness. While these

• 480 Words
• 2 Pages

• 972 Words
• 4 Pages

beings according to Aristotle is our awareness of self and free will. These attributes give us the belief we are in somewhat if not total control of our actions and character. However, in “The Nicomachean Ethics”, Aristotle argues that individuals are more a product of their environment, with their values and ethics are more shaped by the society in which they live in. He explains that our following of these principles/ virtues is dependent on our upbringing as we saw in “The Republic”. The first of

• 972 Words
• 4 Pages

• 871 Words
• 4 Pages

In order to be a person of practical wisdom one should possess good moral reasoning and good inclinations. Aristotle first introduces these concepts in his book The Nicomachean Ethics, but he does not mention a really important virtue, the virtue of forgiveness. If mastered correctly, forgiveness can lead a person to acquire additional, and equally important good habits. That is why, in order to recognize the importance of this virtue, it is necessary to make a deep expository analysis. By definition

• 871 Words
• 4 Pages

• 1117 Words
• 5 Pages

Within book 8, and 9 of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he concludes friendship is the best external good an individual can possess. However, Aristotle in book 8, chapter 3 he asserts the best friendships are forged through the similarities of enduring virtues. However, this doesn't seem correct, because people can still want goodwill for one another though their virtues differ. Arguably, it is the enduring characteristics between two individuals that forge friendships; it is not solely the virtuous

• 1117 Words
• 5 Pages

• 951 Words
• 4 Pages

In 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, “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

• 951 Words
• 4 Pages

• 1545 Words
• 7 Pages

Aristotle very clearly lays out his ideas on happiness in Nicomachean Ethics. His idea is that happiness is the highest thing mankind can achieve. He deems the pursuit of happiness the pursuit the pursuit of goodness. He also states that “we always choose [happiness] on account of itself and never on account of something else” (Nicomachean Ethics 1097b). This is something that not many people would disagree with.Aristotle then further discusses what he believes to the path to goodness and therefore

• 1545 Words
• 7 Pages

• 1204 Words
• 5 Pages

In his Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle discusses what it means for a person to live a happy life, and what that happy life entails. A sizable portion of his ethics are dedicated to discussing the value of friendship and its role in a happy life. In Book IX.9 Aristotle posits that one cannot have a happy life without friends, for “it seems strange when one assigns all good things to the happy man, not to assign friends” (1169b8-9). While it may seem initially clear to us why a life of solitude cannot

• 1204 Words
• 5 Pages

• 1403 Words
• 6 Pages

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, the question of how happiness is achieved is both presented and answered within the text. Aristotle contextualizes the highest good and its connection to the readers while also providing a framework for how to attain the highest good. In this paper, I will connect the highest good to the human good and how they pertain to happiness which will be defined as Eudaimonia. I will also clarify what Aristotle means by virtue, the parts to the soul, and ultimately how the

• 1403 Words
• 6 Pages

• 514 Words
• 3 Pages

Seeking to understand in this week’s reading, I have chosen to focus discussing how do we define good? This subject is broken down in the book ‘The Nicomachean Ethics’ by Aristotle. His teachings bring to light various interesting concepts and give an understanding how can we achieve a virtuous life, without giving it a setting a rule book. My focus is to review what is discussed in his explanations on what is means to achieve happiness. This is an aspect that is discussed in the first book ‘The

• 514 Words
• 3 Pages

• 825 Words
• 4 Pages

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics book 7 chapter 1 the main argument is centered on character. He looks at virtue from a different stance by looking at the character states that should be avoided. He states that there are three bad character states which are the opposite of the three good character states. There are three states of bad character, incontinence which is the weakness of will, vice, and bestiality. There are then three corresponding good states, continence which is the strength of will

• 825 Words
• 4 Pages