The Ethics Of The Nicomachean Ethics - 1140 Words

The way in which Aristotle begins Nicomachean Ethics is with the statement â€Å"Every craft and every line of inquiry, and likewise every action and decision seems to seek some good.† (Aristotle Bk.1, Ch.1). This is a fitting way to begin, as it addresses exactly what the entire book hopes to convey. While at this point in the novel, readers remain unaware what the good that he is referring to means, it becomes clearer and clearer as it progresses why this is such an apt beginning. The Nicomachean Ethics is devoted to the notion that all humans are attempting to seek the ultimate end, which Aristotle describes as happiness, or the Good. If, as he says, everything we do in life is to seek some good, then each action or decision we make brings us closer to the ultimate end. Although, as Aristotle believes, everything we do in our life leads to some good, he makes it clear that some goods are subordinate to others, and that the greatest good is happiness. He believes that the k nowledge of this good carries weight for our way of life, and makes us better able, like archers who have a target to aim at, to hit the right mark (Aristotle 2). To possess the ability to achieve this ultimate end; however, we must first have some sort of understanding as to what happiness is. The definition of happiness typically varies from person to person, some think it’s pleasure or something found in someone you love, others believe it lies in wealth and success, but Aristotle defines it asShow MoreRelatedThe Ethics Of Nicomachean Ethics1367 Words   |  6 Pages Olivia Schoen Dan Brown Ethics 101 8 April 2015 Nicomachean Ethics As one of the greatest philosophers of all time, Aristotle was one of the greats. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. One of his theories of ethics that he written in the form of 10 books was Nicomachean Ethics, this theory consisted of Aristotle’s perspective on the life of man and what makes a good life for man. Personally, I think his theory of ethics is a good outline of how to be an ethicalRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Nicomachean Ethics1356 Words   |  6 PagesIn one of his most popular works, Nicomachean Ethics, The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, debates a variety of subjects in order to obtain a better understanding of virtue and what it means to be a virtuous character. One virtue that is extensively examined by Aristotle in book VII of the Nicomachean Ethics, is friendship. He debates that friendship is complete virtue and above justice and morality in which is why it should be so highly valued. His interpretation of friendshi p is abundantlyRead MoreNicomachean Ethics1035 Words   |  5 PagesTopic 1: In Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle defines virtue as â€Å"the mean relative to us.† In separate paragraphs, please describe briefly the basic notion of virtue as a mean, and then explain why he believes that such a mean is relative to us. Provide quotations/examples to support your claims. Include a final paragraph in which you explain your views on this issue of relativity. Be sure to take into consideration the counter-arguments we discussed in class. The mean is relativeRead MoreNicomachean Ethics Essay951 Words   |  4 PagesIn 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, â€Å"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 liveRead MoreThe Nicomachean Ethics By Aristotle874 Words   |  4 PagesThe Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle â€Å"EVERY art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim† (Ross, n.d.). Aristotle believed that both external (wealth, material possessions) and internal (temperance, courage, etc.) contributed to a person’s happiness and that a person’s final goal was to find the â€Å"good† or their function in life. He also believed that theRead MoreAristotle and Nicomachean Ethics1382 Words   |  6 PagesAristotle provides the teleological approach of how to live well in his collection of lectures, Nicomachean Ethics. In Book II of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle presents his definition of virtue in which it is a kind of mean (N.E. 129). According to Aristotle, moral virtue is a means to an end, happiness. By using Sophocless Antigone, I will support Aristotles theory of virtue in which he reasons it to be a state of character between two extremes. A virtue that remains relevant today as it didRead MoreEssay on Nicomachean Ethics1014 Words   |  5 PagesThrough books one to three in Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle distinguishes between pain and happiness, clarifying the endless war that men face in the path of these two extremes. Man’s quest for pleasure is considered by the self-conscious and rational Aristotle; a viewpoint traditionally refuted in contemporary, secular environments. Immediately, Aristotle alleges that all actions aim for good, thus proposing that all human activity is to be of some good. These activities attempt to meet a greaterRead MoreVirtues in Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics2664 Words   |  11 PagesAristotle Nicomachean Ethics Virtues Abstract: Aristotle contributed greatly to the development of the human moralistic values by scripting the Nicomachean Ethics. This comprehensive book lays down the principles of virtuous behavior that can most certainly complete ones life while nurturing ones soul. In the thesis, we discuss the origin of the virtues and there relevance with respect to modern examples of real public figures. Aristotle was born in 384 BC and grew up to be a renowned GreekRead MoreAristotle Of Aristotle : Nicomachean Ethics1487 Words   |  6 PagesAristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Happiness: it’s something we humans search far and wide for, to attain before we are called home at death. We go through our daily lives, making choices, commitments, changes, decisions. We set goals for ourselves, push ourselves, hurt ourselves, inspire ourselves, lose ourselves, find ourselves†¦but why? Whether it is a conscious effort or not, no matter who you are or where you find yourself at this very moment, there is one ultimately satisfying hope that brings usRead MoreEssay Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle1464 Words   |  6 Pages An Exposition of Aristotelian Virtues In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle explores virtues as necessary conditions for being happy. A virtuous person is a person with a disposition toward virtuous actions and who derives pleasure from behaving virtuously. Aristotle distinguishes between two types of human virtue: virtues of thought and virtues of character. Virtues of thought are acquired through learning and include virtues like wisdom and prudence; virtues of character include bravery and