Comment on book 2 chapter 4 of aristotles nicomachean ethics 1105a17 1105b19, pages 2728 of the crispcambridge edition. Book ii 1 virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue in the main owes both its birth and its growth to teaching for which reason it requires experience and time, while moral virtue comes about as a result of habit, whence also its name ethike is one that is formed by a slight variation from the word ethos. 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. Virtue being, as we have seen, of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue is for the most part both produced and increased by instruction. In this lecture and discussion session from my spring 20 introduction to philosophy class at marist college, we look at aristotles discussions of the intellect and the intellectual virtues in. Objections to aristotle argument, nicomachean ethics, book ii, ch. Humans are a higher form of animal, and animals respond to pleasure and pain. Sample explication paper on aristotles nicomachean ethics, book ii, chapter 5. But at all events what we are investigating is the justice which is a part. Aristotle outlines two sorts of virtue virtue of thought and virtue of character.
Ethics quiz for weiyang on book 1 of aristotles nicomachean ethics learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Here, aristotle identifies virtue as striking a mean between excess and deficiency too much and too little of some characteristic activity. The headings in the translation are mine, with no authority in aristotle. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. Dike justice, eirene peace, and eunomia good law book i, chapter 7.
Nicomachean ethics 2nd edition by aristotle, 1999 online. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive. Aristotles nicomachean ethics focus philosophical library. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics loeb classical library.
Ross book ii 1 virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue in the main owes both its birth and its growth to teaching for which reason it requires experience and time, while moral virtue c. The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. In this paper, i offer a reconstruction of aristotles arguments in book 2, chapter 5 of the nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. Can we think of anything else that is found in the soul but does not fit into one of these categories. The development of character virtues is by habituation i. Another view is that the happy man leads a good life, and this is in accordance with our definition of happiness as a good life and state of wellbeing. This edition includes notes and a glossary, intending to provide the. Rereading it provided me an amazing aha so much more made sense to me. Summary book ii page 1 page 2 page 3 so virtue is a purposive disposition, lying in a mean that is relative to us and determined by a rational principle, by that which a prudent man would use to determine it.
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book ii summary and analysis. Truthfulness or sincerity is a desirable mean state between the deficiency of irony or selfdeprecation and the excess of boastfulness. In this lesson, youll get aristotles insight into ethics and, in particular, his approach to moral responsibility and the best way to live. It is fitting, therefore, that his moral philosophy is based around assessing the broad characters of human beings rather than assessing singular acts in isolation.
Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. Since, then, the present inquiry does not aim at theoretical knowledge like the others for we are inquiring not in order to know what virtue is, but in. Nicomachean ethics is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by or dedicated to aristotles son, nicomachus.
The greek terms for both character and habit are actually the same word, ethos hence, ethics. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book i summary and analysis. Nicomachean ethics book ii classical wisdom weekly part 6. Nicomachean ethics book seven summary and analysis. Why does aristotle include a discussion about regimes in the middle of a section on friendship. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. 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.
Virtue being, as we have seen, of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue is for the most part both produced and increased by instruction, and therefore requires experience and time. Book ii discussion here we will hold our general discussion for the chapters mentioned in the title. The first book discloses aristotles belief on moral philosophy and the correlation between virtue and happiness. Aristotle 384322 bc was a scholar in disciplines such as ethics, metaphysics, biology and botany, among others. A summary of book ii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. This image from perseus depicts the horai or seasons. Book 5, chapter 2 1a1411a9 for now, aristotle wants to focus on justice as a virtueand injustice as a vice.
What does aristotle mean when he says that justice only exists for people who live in community. The nicomachean ethics fits within the tradition of moral inquiry known as virtue ethics because of its emphasis on the importance of developing moral or character virtues in order to be good and. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 2 summary. Feb 20, 20 in this lecture and discussion session from my spring 20 introduction to philosophy class at marist college, we look at aristotles discussions of the intellect and the intellectual virtues in. Every art and every kind of inquiry, and like in an lie dou man seelrf wiqe every act and purpose, seems to aim at sorne. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. Text remarks dr virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue in the main owes both its birth and its growth to teaching for which reason it requires experience and time, while moral virtue comes about as a result of habit. How actions cause character nicomachean ethics book 2 ch 4. Aristotles doctrine of the mean, outlined in section 2, begins with a general explanation he will gradually defend.
Study questions on aristotles nicomachean ethics, book ii 1. Amiability, sincerity, and wit are important social virtues. Nicomachean ethics book vi the virtues of thought study questions by dr. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle the internet classics archive. Focus philosophical librarys edition of aristotles nicomachean ethics is a lucid and useful translation of one of aristotles major works for the student of undergraduate philosophy, as well as for the general reader interested in the major works of western civilization. This is where wisdom and prudence will come in later.
The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. It states that there are only three kinds of things found in the soul. An overeagerness to please exhibits itself in obsequiousness or flattery, while surly or quarrelsome behavior exhibits a deficiency of amiability. What has aristotle established previously about the relation between correct reason, excess, deficiency, and the mean. Amiability is the virtuous quality of appropriate social conduct. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general.
Aristotle outlines two sorts of virtuevirtue of thought and virtue of character. Nicomachean ethics quizzes about important details and events in every section of the book. All the characteristics that people look for in happiness virtue, practical wisdom, theoretical wisdom, prosperity, etc. Nicomachean ethics tragically, the west now denies the profundity of anything. The first arises mostly from teaching and requires experience and time to mature.
Readers should consult the last section of the introduction before they turn to the translation or notes. Aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 2 ethics and moral. Explicate aristotles arguments in nicomachean ethics, book ii, chapter 5. The first arises mostly from teaching and requires. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The nicomachean ethics is very often abbreviated ne, or en, and books and chapters are generally referred to by roman and arabic numerals, respectively, along with corresponding bekker numbers. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book 2, chapter 3, section 2. Aristotles nicomachean ethics 2 books 610 virtues, selfcontrol, friendship, and pleasure welcome to the course and preliminaries welcome to the nicomachean ethics course. Its one of those texts that is worth rereading a couple of times in ones life, for as we mature, we are privy to new insights offered by this great person. 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. Aristotle, the nicomachean ethics book 6 introduction to. How does ones state of character get shaped and formed. Oct 01, 2011 in this lecture from my fall 2011 ethics class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nichomachean ethics book 2, specifically. According to aristotle, how does one acquire moral virtue.
According to aristotle, how does one acquire intellectual virtue. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. What virtues of character are nicomachean ethics book 2 ch 1 duration. Aristotles work, the nicomachean ethics, consists of numerous books pertaining to aristotles ethicsthe ethics of the good life. In this lecture from my fall 2011 ethics class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nichomachean ethics book 2, specifically. As they read through the ethics, they may want to read through a section of the introduction before turning to the more detailed discussion in the notes and glossary.
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