Aristotle's Philosophy: Physics & Nicomachean Ethics - PDF

Aristotle Course 👻 Great Minds I Confidence Not Confident Last Edited @October 9, 2024 10:47 AM Aristotle Lecture 7: Physics & Nicomachean Ethics - Happiness 1. Historical Context Aristotl...

Aristotle Course 👻 Great Minds I Confidence Not Confident Last Edited @October 9, 2024 10:47 AM Aristotle Lecture 7: Physics & Nicomachean Ethics - Happiness 1. Historical Context Aristotle (384-322 BCE): A Greek philosopher born in Stagira, Aristotle is a central figure in Western philosophy. He was a student of Plato and the tutor of Alexander the Great. He founded the Peripatetic School at the Lyceum and wrote extensively on a variety of subjects, including ethics, metaphysics, politics, biology, and physics. His works, such as Physics and Nicomachean Ethics, form the foundation of many modern intellectual traditions. Key Texts: Physics: Aristotle’s inquiry into nature (physis), which discusses the principles and causes of natural things and changes. This work is essential for understanding how Aristotle approaches the natural world, focusing on causality and motion. Nicomachean Ethics: A critical text that addresses questions about the good life for human beings. It outlines Aristotle’s theory of happiness (eudaimonia) as the ultimate goal and the role of virtue in achieving it. 2. Key Concepts Aristotle 1  Nature & Explanation: Definition of Nature: Aristotle defines nature as a principle or cause of being moved or being at rest, inherent to an object or being. This inherent quality distinguishes nature from artificial things, which rely on external forces to bring about changes. For instance, a tree grows by itself (nature), while a table remains static unless acted upon (artificial). The Four Causes (Ways to Explain the Nature of Things): Material Cause: The physical substance out of which something is made. For example, the material cause of a statue is bronze or marble. For living beings, it could be flesh, bone, or blood. Formal Cause: The form or essence of a thing that makes it what it is. For example, the formal cause of a table is its design and structure, such as a flat top supported by legs. Efficient Cause: The primary source of change or rest, such as the artisan who makes the table, the seed that grows into a tree, or the parents who give birth to a child. Final Cause: The purpose or end (also known as telos) for which something is done. For instance, the final cause of a table is to hold items above the ground, while the final cause of human life, according to Aristotle, is happiness (eudaimonia). The Nature of Human Beings and Explanation: Aristotle believes that to understand the nature of a human being, one must look at the function and purpose specific to human beings. The final cause of a human being, what gives life purpose, is happiness (eudaimonia). 3. The Human Good Hierarchy of Goods: Aristotle starts from the observation that every action or pursuit aims at some good. However, these goods can be arranged in a hierarchy. Aristotle 2  Subordinate Goods: Some goods are pursued as a means to an end. For instance, we might study to get a degree, and get a degree to find a good job. Each good in this chain is less important than the one that follows it. Ultimate Good: Aristotle argues that there must be an ultimate good, something that we aim for its own sake and not as a means to another end. This ultimate good is eudaimonia (happiness or flourishing), which is self- sufficient and final. Eudaimonia (Happiness/Flourishing): General Agreement on Eudaimonia: Aristotle observes that, in theory, people agree that eudaimonia is the highest good. However, they differ on what this actually consists of. Pleasure: Some people equate happiness with pleasure, but Aristotle dismisses this view as fit for beasts, not humans. Honor: Others pursue honor as the highest good, but Aristotle notes that honor depends on others and is not self-sufficient. Wealth: Money-making is dismissed because it is always pursued for something else, not as an end in itself. True Eudaimonia: For Aristotle, eudaimonia involves living well and fulfilling one’s function as a human being. It is not a transient state but a long-term condition of flourishing. It is rational activity in accordance with virtue. 4. The Function Argument Human Function: Aristotle believes that just as a knife’s function is to cut, the human being has a specific function that distinguishes it from other beings. For humans, this function is rational activity. Rational Soul: Unlike other living beings, humans have a rational soul that allows for reason and reflection. This rationality is what separates humans from animals and plants. Aristotle 3  The Good Human Being: To be a good human being means to perform one’s function (rational activity) well. This is done in accordance with virtues, which are excellence in rational activity. Excellence/Virtue: Just as a good knife must cut well, a good human being must reason well, in accordance with the highest virtues (such as wisdom, courage, and justice). Eudaimonia as Rational Activity: For Aristotle, eudaimonia is the life of rational activity performed in accordance with virtue. It is not merely about having certain virtues, but about actively living them out over a lifetime. This activity must be in accordance with the best and most complete virtues. 5. Key Arguments and Objections The Function Argument (Expanded): 1. Human Rationality: Humans are distinct in possessing reason, and thus their function must involve rational activity. 2. Goodness: A good human being is one who performs rational activity well, which means in accordance with virtue. 3. Virtue and Eudaimonia: To live well is to engage in rational activity in the best way possible, with the best virtues, over a complete life. Anti-Function Objections: Aristotle’s function argument faces several objections: Other Candidates for Human Function: Language: Humans alone have language, suggesting this could be their unique function. Aristotle 4  Morality: Humans can perceive good and evil, suggesting morality might define human function. Laughter: Humans are the only animals that laugh, which some have proposed as a defining feature. Rationality in Non-Humans: Some argue that rationality is not unique to humans, as animals display signs of reasoning (e.g., using tools, problem- solving, communication). This challenges the idea that rationality is uniquely human. Ethical Concerns: Aristotle’s views on slavery and intellectual disabilities raise ethical concerns: He suggests that some people (e.g., "barbarians" or slaves) are naturally suited for subservience, which is controversial and inconsistent with modern views on human dignity and equality. These views present challenges for modern Aristotelians, who must reconcile Aristotle’s philosophy with contemporary values. 6. The Method of Political Science Politics as the Master Science: Aristotle argues that politics is the "master art" because it governs all other sciences and arts. Political science ordains which sciences should be studied and determines the laws under which citizens live. The Role of Law in Politics: For Aristotle, politics is not just about power or governance but about creating conditions where citizens can live virtuous lives. The ultimate goal of the polis (city-state) is to make its citizens good. The Limits of Arguments: Aristotle notes that arguments alone are not enough to make people virtuous. Law has compulsive power, but it must be guided by practical wisdom and reason to be truly effective in promoting the good life. 7. Final Reflections on Eudaimonia A Complete Life: Aristotle emphasizes that eudaimonia is not a fleeting moment but the result of living a complete life filled with virtuous activity. A Aristotle 5  person cannot be said to be truly happy until their life as a whole is considered. 8. Next Session (Session 8 - Free Will) Topic: "On the Free Choice of the Will: Will" How to Prepare: Read On the Free Choice of the Will, Book I (accessible on Canvas). Review secondary readings and complete interactive assignments on Canvas. Aristotle 6