Aristotle s nicomachean ethics explained with book summaries in just a few minutes. Aristotle s nicomachean ethics by michael pakaluk august 2005. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. For this reason also the question is asked, whether happiness is to be acquired by learning or by habituation or some other sort of training, or comes in. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of nicomachean ethics. Jan 01, 1999 in books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the nicomachean ethics, aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship. All human actions and choices aim at some good, which may be defined as the end or object of that action or choice. Aristotles definition of money here in this chapter is true. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it. In friendships with dissimilar aims, aristotle says, there has to be an equalizer of some sort.
In friendships or exchanges where each person receives a different benefit, it is important that both parties feel they are being justly treated. Cliffsnotes on aristotles ethics explores the ancient greek philosopher and scientists writings on ethics, particularly his analyses of character, pleasure, courage, friendship, and intelligence as. The best method is to fix a price in advance, though some forms of benevolence cannot properly be repaid. To aristotle, friendship and justice are about the same things and are found in the same people. Aristotle views ethics as a necessary part of political science.
We must consider it, however, in the light not only of our conclusion and our premisses, but also of what is commonly said about it. The nicomachean ethics, aristotle s most important study of personal morality and the ends of human life, has for many centuries been a widelyread and influential book. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides a brief summary of aristotle. Friendship, virtue and happiness essay examples 933 words 4 pages in the writings of aristotle, seen in nicomachean ethics, it is evident that aristotle believes that friendship is necessary for a virtuous and therefore happy life. For this reason also the question is asked, whether happiness is to be acquired by learning or by habituation or some other sort of training, or comes in virtue of some divine providence or again by chance. Aristotles nicomachean ethics book vi prudence youtube. Text remarks jt in general the owners of a commodity do not set the same price upon it as those who wish to acquire it, since all types of people feel that their own possessions and gifts are of great value. Nicomachean ethics pdf summary aristotle 12min blog.
Aristotle feels individuals and communities are inseparable, whether the community is a family, a tribe, or a city. Here well only mention a few points that might give rise to reasonable objections to aristotles argument. About aristotles ethics cliffsnotes study guides book. For it is thought to be most intimately connected with our human nature, which is the reason why in educating the young we steer them by the rudders of pleasure and pain. I think that the book breaks down the content very well and allows readers who would not. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the sparknotes aristotle 384322 b. We have tons of study questions for you here, all completely free. As already mentioned in the analysis of book one, aristotle holds that the happiness of man can be defined by determining the function proper to man. Because friendship involves some sort of life shared in common, we can say that friendship involves community.
Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. It is entirely appropriate that money, the representative of productive work. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive. The nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics kindle edition by ross, david, lesley brown, lesley brown, david ross. Ross book x 1 after these matters we ought perhaps next to discuss pleasure. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. Read a brief overview of the work, or chapter by chapter summaries. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. In the second book of aristotles nicomachean ethics, aristotle talks about the virtues that are needed to live a moral life. Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight. A summary of book ix in aristotles nicomachean ethics.
Continue your study of nicomachean ethics with these useful links. He justifies this belief by arguing that if the community is in disharmony, so will the person be. Enough has now been said to show that moral virtue is a mean, and in what sense this is so, namely that it is a mean between two vices, one of excess and the other of defect. Where the parties are unequal, friendship is preserved by establishing a proportion that restores equality. 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.
To summarize, aristotle raises the question of virtue. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle it is the purpose of the study of ethics to discover the nature of the highest good and to find the appropriate means for its realisation. Key ideas covered include his discussion of happiness, virtue, bravery, and temperance. In aristotle s book ii of nicomachean ethics, he states that virtue of character is how someone gets to the ultimate end, which is happiness. The nicomachean ethics pdf summary goes over the ten books of aristotle s most famous work on the subject of ethics and being a good person. In this video, professor thorsby discusses the sixth book of aristotle s nicomachean ethics covering the notions of phronesis, or practical wisdom prudence. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book ix summary and analysis. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A summary of book i in aristotles nicomachean ethics. This book centers the discussion on the topic of friendship. Get free homework help on aristotles nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics.
Aristotles nicomachean ethics book 10 flashcards quizlet. A summary of book ix in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics sparknotes philosophy guide by sparknotes. After all, he desires good for himself, finds his own company pleasant, and shares in his own distresses and pleasures. We could only see how powerful these objections are by spelling them out more fully and considering what aristotles response would be. For it is thought to be most intimately connected with our human nature, which is the reason why in educating the young we steer them by the. Essay nicomachean ethics by aristotle 1464 words bartleby. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Conflicts often arise in friendship because on of the parties does not get what he desires out of the friendship, usually when one person thinks that what he is receiving is. 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. Analysis of aristotle s book ii of nicomachean ethics. This video focuses on aristotle s work, the nicomachean ethics, and examines his discussion in book 9 of the issue of selflove philautia and. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in nicomachean ethics, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Aristotles interpretation of ethical virtues an ethical virtue is a habit, disposed towards action, by deliberate choice, being at the mean relative to us, and defined by reason and as a prudent man would define it the nicomachean ethics, book beta, 1107a. Get ready to write your essay on nicomachean ethics. Buy the nicomachean ethics penguin classics by aristotle, barnes, jonathan, tredennick, hugh, thomson, j. In this video, professor thorsby offers an overview of aristotles nicomachean ethic s book ix. A summary of book ii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Therefore every action in a persons life has to be made. Book vi of the nicomachean ethics is identical to book v of the eudemian ethics. One of the merits of aristotle s approach to ethics is that it aims to be practical and, therefore, faithful to how. Aristotle also addresses the difficulty of giving people thingsgifts, trust, respectas they deserve, and of what happens when. Any friendship that cant achieve this sort of proportionalitysuch as a friendship in which one person loves for pleasure and the other. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotle s treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Aristotle was born in stagira in macedon now part of northern greece. Though written more than 2,000 years ago, it offers the modern reader many valuable insights into human needs and conduct. Nicomachean ethics book ix by aristotle written 350 b.
In cases of dispute, the recipient of a service should determine its value. Aristotle adds that the best qualities of friendship are also found in the decent persons relationship with himself. The nicomachean ethics, aristotle the nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotle s bestknown work on ethics. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Objections to aristotle argument, nicomachean ethics, book ii, ch.
Aristotle s nichomachean ethics begins with a simple premise, which is that everyone wants to be happy. Aristotle s observations of society in nicomachean ethics are based on his thoughts about justice. The nicomachean ethics, frequently referred to as the ethics or aristotle s ethics, is aristotle s bestknown work on ethics and is one of the most influential works in western moral theory. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the sparknotes politics study guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Aristotle s nicomachean ethics revision, book nine.
Among its most outstanding features are aristotle s. The best way to become happy takes up much of the rest of the work, as aristotle examines the nature of happiness what sort of actions lead to it. He explains what a good life consists of and the proper development and management of the elements within a man. Sep, 2017 in this video, professor thorsby discusses the first three books of aristotles nicomachean ethics. Both topics discuss the good for the individual and the community. Nicomachean ethics book ix classical wisdom weekly.
Start studying aristotle s nicomachean ethics book 10. Friendship nicomachean ethics, books 8 and 9 chapter 9. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book i summary and analysis. Book 9 theres more drama to be had in friendships, especially when the people involved expect different things from each otherand neither is satisfied. Nicomachean ethics summary and analysis of book nine. Sep 30, 2017 in this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotle s nicomachean ethics book viii. Sometimes even a return of a previous favor is not fair but an excessive demand, whenever the original giver knows he is benefiting an excellent person, but. Find the quotes you need to support your essay, or refresh your memory of the book by reading these key quotes. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle brief summary youtube. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship. Taken together, these works emphasize aristotle s conviction that the political art is the highest goodsince it encompasses the good ends desired by every part of the. Aristotle reverences study, but he thinks the student needs to use what they have learned and apply it. A summary of book i in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. The moral life of aristotle s nicomachean ethics 45 words 6 pages.
For example, health is the end of medicine, a boat the end of boatbuilding, and. Chapter summary for aristotle s nicomachean ethics, book 9 summary. Aristotle states that, without a goal or ultimate end happiness, life does not have a purpose. Main ideas and takeaways about aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. A summary of book v in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Study guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Aristotle on selflove and love of friends nicomachean. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. While most of our actions are done for the sake of some higher end, there is an ultimate end beyond which we wish nothing more. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Text remarks dr with friends men are more able both to think and act. Need help with book 3 in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. One of the original works of virtue ethics, this book on living a good life by aristotle has some great advice on being a good, thriving person, through moderating your excesses and deficiencies and striving to improve yourself.
Courage, temperance, liberality, magnificence, proper pride, ambition, good temper. According to aristotle, every craft, line of inquiry, action, and decision seeks some end, or good, but these goods differ. Ethics professor this is a good translation of aristotle s nicomachean ethics. There are as many kinds of ends as there are kinds of activity and the ends may vary, depending on the particular activity being studied e. A summary of book x in aristotles nicomachean ethics. The justice pertaining to class is distributive and requires that each person receive not the same thing, but the goods i. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics. The nicomachean ethics along with an earlier inquiry called the eudemian ethics are part of a larger conversation about community that culminates in his work politics. Aristotle waits until book ten to complete the logic set forth in book one with regard to determining the ultimate good for man by examining a human beings highest capacities. Jt between friends there is no need for justice, but people who are just still need the quality of friendship. In this section aristotle discusses the role of friendship.
From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness. No one is only a scholarpeople are family members, friends, and citizens too. Nicomachean ethics questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on nicomachean ethics. This study guide for nicomachean ethics by aristotle looks at the key concepts and main ideas to help you get a deeper understanding of nicomachean ethics. In this passage, aristotle explains the aim of his inquiry in nicomachean ethics as a whole.
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