Nicomachean ethics pdf summary aristotle 12min blog. Book viii 1 after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. Chapter viii cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. If you need to read just one philosopher in your life, then it has to be either plato or aristotle. After this, the next step would be a discussion of friendship, since it is a virtue or involves virtue, and is an absolute necessity in life. In practice aristotle explains that people tend more by nature towards pleasures, and therefore see virtues as being relatively closer to the less obviously pleasant extremes. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle written 350 b. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics. At this point in aristotles discussion, there is a pronounced shift from a focus on the individual pursuit of virtue to the role of virtue in relationships and communities. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotle streatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole.
The nicomachean ethics, frequently referred to as the ethics or aristotles ethics, is aristotles bestknown work on ethics and is one of the most influential works in western moral theory. Scholars believe that nicomachean ethics is basically a compilation of class notes from aristotles students, now divided into ten short books, so, stylistically speaking, platos republic, which is written in dialogue form, is much more fun to read than nicomachean ethics. A summary of book vii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Definition of the subject and nature of the problem a. Ross book viii 1 after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. Book vi of the nicomachean ethics is identical to book v of the eudemian ethics. Book beta of the nicomachean ethics by aristotle revolves around the central. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly part 3. Aristotle begins a lengthy discussion of friendship that will take up the next two major sections of the work. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. It lies somewhere between the virtue of temperance and the vice of intemperance. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. It will serve newcomers as an informative, accessible introduction to the nicomachean ethics and to many issues in aristotles philosophy, but also has much to offer advanced scholars. Friendship will occupy a significant role in nicomachean ethics.
By incontinence is meant lack of proper selfcontrol. Book vii contains aristotles analysis of incontinence weakness of will. According to aristotle, moral virtue is a means to an end, happiness. Metaphysics as a branch of philosophyconcerning the most fundamental level of realityoriginated with aristotle, who produced a work that is known as the metaphysics. In discussing friendship, aristotle seems intent on discussing every kind of interpersonal. In this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 8 of aristotles philosophical text nicomachean ethics. Aristotle opens with a discussion of voluntaryinvoluntary behavior, which segues into an. Our next business after this will be to discuss friendship. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotlestreatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Aristotle describes three different kinds of lives in nicomachean ethics.
In an incredibly detailed study of virtue and vice in man. Ruchi ahuja ids 385w professor jeremy bell 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. Aristotles high regard for friendship can be seen in the way he guards against that type. For when deliberating one seems in the procedure described to be pursuing an investigation or analysis that resembles the analysis of a figure in geometry 29. Pleasure is discussed in several parts of the nicomachean ethics and in this particular book attention is directed to the specific ways in which pleasure may influence the course of human conduct.
He notes that friendship seems to be a naturally desirable thing among humans as well as among other animals of the same species. 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. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of aristotles ethics. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics.
In the book nicomachean ethics, by aristotle, aristotle describes various way of living ones life, the ultimate goal in life, and how to achieve happiness and live the best life. Therefore, the goal or end of human activity is the highest good for man. 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. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 8 summary. Of course, since weve read the nicomachean ethics, we also know that aristotle pushes the career path of philosopher pretty hard, too. This book centers the discussion on the topic of friendship. Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means.
It is not possible to have many friends in the full meaning of the word friendship, any more than it is to be in love with many people at once love indeed seems to. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness. In nicomachean ethics, aristotle goes on to discuss in much more detail what conditions make an action worthy of praise or blame. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Need help with book 8 in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotles treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. Aristotle provides the teleological approach of how to live well in his collection of lectures, nicomachean ethics. Although a flatterer can get insincere honor, it is hard to find insincere love. But the nicomachean ethics only discusses the sense of shame at that point, and not righteous indignation which is however discussed in the eudemian ethics book viii. Aristotle turns to a discussion of friendship, which is itself a virtue, or at least involves virtue. Aristotle says that such cases will need to be discussed later, before the discussion of justice in book v, which will also require special discussion.
From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness to summarize, aristotle raises the question of virtue. Nicomachean ethics aristotle faculty of social sciences. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 9 summary. Apr 28, 2014 aristotle provides the teleological approach of how to live well in his collection of lectures, nicomachean ethics.
Aristotle discusses political constitutions in much greater detail in the politics, which does not agree entirely with his assessment in the ethics. In section 8 aristotle examines the currencies of friendship, which are love and honor. This session is the last in our series of sessions on aristotle, in which we address what aristotle describes as the most important of all the external goods necessary for a good life friendship. Nicomachean ethics book eight summary and analysis. The nicomachean ethics is one of the greatest works of aristotle, the famous philosopher who was really much more of a scientist than a philosopher. Chapter viii confirmation of our view in popular ideas on happiness summary the first principle we have arrived at the definition of happiness given above must be tested logically, as a conclusion drawn from premises, and also in the light of generally held opinions on the nature of happiness, for something that. Pakaluks fresh and scrupulously accurate translation is. Text remarks dr with friends men are more able both to think and act.
By using sophocless antigone, i will support aristotles theory of virtue in which he. And if you need to read just one book by the latter, then it has to be the nicomachean. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book i summary and analysis. Taken together, these works emphasize aristotles conviction that the political art is the highest goodsince it encompasses the good ends desired by every part of the human community. A summary of book viii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Aristotles nicomachean ethics is considered to be one of the most important treatises on ethics ever written. Oct 31, 2017 this session is the last in our series of sessions on aristotle, in which we address what aristotle describes as the most important of all the external goods necessary for a good life friendship. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics february 7, 2011 february 20, 2011 neel burton after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. 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.
The highest good is the end telos or goal of that activity. An analysis of nicomachean ethics by aristotle essay 930 words. Scholars believe that nicomachean ethics is basically a compilation of class notes from aristotles students, now divided into ten short books, so, stylistically speaking, platos republic, which is written in dialogue form, is. The good life as it has been described in the earlier books of the ethics finds its culmination in. In book ii of nicomachean ethics, aristotle presents his definition of virtue in which it is a kind of mean n. A summary of book vii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship. Earlier in both works, both the nicomachean ethics book iv, and the equivalent book in the eudemian ethics book iii, though different, ended by stating that the next step was to discuss justice.
The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Nicomachean ethics has been divided into the following sections. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Its also a necessity for liferich and poor, young and old, all people need friends. 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. An analysis of nicomachean ethics by aristotle essay 930. 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. In complete friendship, aristotle implies, equality will not even come up as a concern. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly. Analysis of the book nicomachean ethics by aristotle 1667 words 7 pages. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Sep 30, 2017 in this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotle s nicomachean ethics book viii. This is the book where he indulges in the discussion of happiness, virtue, ethics, politics, and really anything else describing the way in which human beings functioned together in the society of. Book i 65k book ii 50k book iii 74k book iv 69k book v 74k book vi 55k book vii 78k book viii 70k book ix 66k book x 71k download.
Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 9 of aristotles philosophical text. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. For no one would choose to live without friends, but possessing all other good things. 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. For when deliberating one seems in the procedure described to be pursuing an investigation or.
Dec 10, 2018 with 12min, aristotle and his most famous book on the subject. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. Books viiiix sort out the types of friendships and their role in the ethical life. Feb 26, 2014 it will serve newcomers as an informative, accessible introduction to the nicomachean ethics and to many issues in aristotles philosophy, but also has much to offer advanced scholars.
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