Lecture 4: In-Depth Notes on Aristotle's Ethical Views and Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

• knowledge comes from perception

• 2 types of happiness

  • hedonic: (mere) pleasure; satisfaction of bodily needs/wants

  • eudaemonic happiness: pleasure of the soul; spiritual fulfillment and satisfaction; success; “human flourishing”

• ultimate end to living the good life is eudaemonic happiness

• the ultimate goal of anything must be to perform its function excellently

  • function of humans : “activity of the soul in accordance with reason”

• how do we get happiness

  • fulfilling our right function

  • our function — rationality, reason

• happiness - is to excel at living in according with reason. So for Aristotle this means living virtuously

• eudaemonic happiness is defined as living a virtuous life, since that is what it means to fulfill our function

• for Aristotle virtue is following the middle path between extremes of excess and deficiency

• Virtue, but especially Reason

• happiness is a sum : for Aristotle the goodness of a life best though of as a sum over your life span, and even after death

Overview of Aristotle's Philosophy

• Aristotle (384-322 BCE) was a pupil of Plato and a leading figure in the Socratic tradition.

• Unlike previous philosophers (e.g., Socrates, Plato), Aristotle's extensive writings cover various disciplines from aesthetics to zoology.

• His work laid the groundwork for Western scientific and philosophical thought, influencing not only secular systems but also early Christian thinkers like St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Historical Context

• Pre-Socratic and Socratic Philosophy:

  • Socrates: Executed by Athens, known for irritating his peers.

  • Plato: Founded The Academy, wrote Socratic dialogues.

  • Other notable philosophers: Xenophon, Aristippus, Antisthenes, Diogenes, Alexander the Great.

The Significance of Aristotle

• Father of Empiricism:

  • Emphasized knowledge derived from perception, contrasting with Plato's focus on reflection.

  • Outlined that fulfilling rational functions leads to true happiness.

Nicomachean Ethics

• Purpose:

  • Named after his son, Nicomachus, this work advises on achieving a good life through practical self-help.

• Two Kinds of Happiness:

  • Hedonic Happiness: Derived from bodily pleasures and satisfaction of needs.

  • Eudaemonic Happiness: Involves spiritual fulfillment and human flourishing; the more profound and essential pursuit.

Defining Eudaimonia

• Purpose (Telos):

  • Everything has an ultimate purpose, and achieving good is based on its function.

  • Ultimate end: Life aligned with honor, pleasure, intellect, and virtues should lead to happiness.

Achieving Happiness

• Function of Humans:

  • The essential role of humans is to activate the soul through reason.

  • Happiness is achieved by fulfilling one’s function excellently and living virtuously.

Eudaimonic Happiness and Virtue

• Rational Activity:

  • Eudaimonia is attained by virtue, and living virtuously also brings about hedonic happiness.

• Aristotelian Virtues:

  • Virtues are examined through the lens of finding a mean between excess and deficiency.

Doctrine of the Mean

• Virtue as Balance:

  • Excess, Deficiency, and the Mean: Examples include Courage (excess: Rashness, deficiency: Cowardice).

• Real-Life Application:

  • Living a balanced life leads to moral character; virtues such as temperance and courage preserve the mean.

The Role of Reason in Virtue

• Significance of Reason:

  • Celebrated as the highest pursuit leading to continuous engagement in virtuous acts.

• Practical Wisdom (Phronesis):

  • Achieved through moral education and habitual virtuous actions.

Living Virtuously

• Practicing Virtue:

  • Developing virtues through action is akin to learning skills, such as building or music.

• Effect of External Goods:

  • External goods can facilitate a good life but are secondary to virtue.

Happiness – A Lifelong Sum

• Long-Term Perspective:

  • Happiness should be seen as a sum of one's life experiences—good and bad.

• Resilience and Virtue:

  • A virtuous person can maintain happiness through life's adversities without slipping into misery.

Final Thoughts

• Universality and Society:

  • Questions arise on whether Aristotle's concept of the good life is universally applicable and aligned with societal success.

Summary of Key Concepts

• Hedonic vs. Eudaemonic Happiness

• Function and Purpose (Telos)

• Doctrine of the Mean

• Role of Reason

• Building Virtue Through Action

• Resilience and Long-Term Happiness