The Good Life - Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics

GSTS - Module 5

Instrumental Good

Valued as a means to achieve something else.

Instrumental Good

Desire and pleasure.

Intrinsic Good

Valued for their own sake, not as a means to an end.

Intrinsic Good

Something worthwhile not because it leads to something else but for its own sake.

Intrinsic Good

“Why” question is asked until nonsense answer is reached.

Intrinsic Good

Leads to ultimate good.

Eudaimonia

State of human flourishing or living well, achieved through virtuous activity and living according to reason.

Happiness

In Eudaimonia, what is ultimate good?

Eudaimonia

Good spirit, welfare, human flourishing, and prosperity.

Happiness

This refers to living well or doing well.

Hedonism

Focuses on pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the ultimate good.

Pleasure

In Hedonism, what is ultimate good?

Hedonism

Pleasure, wealth, fame, and honor.

Virtue and Excellence

Two Hallmarks of Eudaimonia.

Virtue

Morally good behavior.

Excellence

Excellent and valuable quality.

Yes, because we are the only rational, theoretical, and practical beings

Is eudaimonia unique only to humans?

Animals

Are partially rational.

Plants

Are non rational

Humans

Are rational, theoretical, and practical.

Virtue

What makes one function well.

Arête

Excellence and moral virtue.

Eudaimonia

Made possible by living a life of virtue (arête).

Intellectual Virtues

Cultivated through teaching and learning.

Intellectual Virtues

Education, time, experience, and practice.

Intellectual Virtues

Achieved through formal and non formal means.

Wisdom; Understanding-scientific endeavor and contemplation; Self-taught knowledge and skills

Key intellectual virtues

Wisdom

Guides ethical behavior.

Intellectual Virtues

Understanding-scientific endeavor and contemplation.

Intellectual Virtues

Self-taught knowledge and skills.

Moral Virtues

Developed through habitual practice and action.

Moral Virtues

Virtue of character and habitual practice.

Generosity; Temperance; Courage

Key moral virtues.

Generosity

Repeatedly unselfish.

Temperance

Repeatedly resisting and foregoing every inviting opportunity.

Courage

Repeatedly exhibiting the proper action and emotional response in the time of danger.

Skill — Practice

Virtue is like a _____, it is acquired through repeated _____

Golden Mean

The idea that virtuous behavior lies in finding a balanced, moderate approach between two extremes of excess and deficiency, rather than adhering to either extreme.

Golden Mean

Good relationship dynamics, Healthy environment, Contribute to wellness (happiness).

Good Life

State of being happy, healthy, and prosperous in the way we think, live and act.

Virtues of thoughts and Character

The path to good life consist of _____ and _____

Good Life

Mediator between the two extremes of excess and deficiency.

Happiness

This is living a virtuous life.

No, ethical and moral standards should be imposed on ST.

Should we refuse ST?

Science and Technology

This can be ruined by under or over appreciation of the scope and function it plays in the pursuit of uniquely human experience of happiness.