In Our Time: Philosophy

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

52 snips
Nov 30, 2023
Explore Aristotle's ideas on happiness and living a good life in his Nicomachean Ethics. Discover his approach to answering these questions and his influence in Athens. Delve into Aristotle's concept of the mean and its relevance for virtue. Understand the application of the theory of the mean in different virtues. Learn about practical wisdom, virtue, and human flourishing. Explore Aristotle's perspective on studying ethics and the role of pleasure. Enjoy banter about tea and coffee preferences and an unexpected supernatural encounter.
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ANECDOTE

Aristotle's Background

Aristotle was born in 384 BCE and studied with Plato for 20 years. He later became a tutor to Alexander the Great before establishing his own Lyceum in Athens.

INSIGHT

Purpose of Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle aimed to help individuals live happy lives through virtue, hoping they would contribute to their communities. His work emphasizes that ethics is essential for political engagement.

INSIGHT

Human Function and Eudaimonia

Aristotle identifies a human's function as rational activity that aligns with virtue, linking it directly to eudaimonia. This understanding emphasizes the importance of reason in defining human excellence.

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