Michael pakaluk is at clark university, massachusetts. It states that there are only three kinds of things found in the soul. He notes that friendship seems to be a naturally desirable thing among humans as well as among other animals of the same species. 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. Aristotle believes that a friend is he who must be mutually recognized as a. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. They and the standard ancient greek dictionary give it as moderation or temperance. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book 1 introduction to. Chapter viii cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. Virtue however is concerned with emotions and actions, and it is only voluntary feelings and actions for which praise and blame are given.
In this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii. Rereading it provided me an amazing aha so much more made sense to me. Nicomachean ethics aristotle faculty of social sciences. Oct 17, 2011 in this lecture from my fall 2011 introduction to philosophy class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nichomachean ethics book 3 if youd like to support my work producing videos like this. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. To a friend, however, it is said, you must wish goods for his own sake. If you wish good things in this way, but the same wish is not returned by the other, you would be said to have only goodwill for the other. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position.
Book vi 1 since we have previously said that one ought to choose that which is intermediate, not the excess nor the defect, and that the intermediate is determined by the dictates of the right rule, let us discuss the nature of these dictates. A summary of book vii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 7 summary. Quotes book viii to a friend, however, it is said, you must wish goods for his own sake. 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. 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. Dec 14, 2011 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. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Books viii and ix clarendon aristotle series 9780198751045. 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. In all the states of character we have mentioned, as in all other matters, there is a mark to which the man who has the rule looks, and heightens or relaxes his. For no one would choose to live without friends, but possessing all other good things.
The translation of this passage is that of rackham in the loeb classical library edition of the nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle junisoni december 5, 2012 8. In the eudemian ethics book viii, chapter 3 aristotle also uses the word. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle book i summary and analysis. Book viii summary and analysis aristotle begins a lengthy discussion of friendship that will take up the next two major sections of the work. Aristotles nicomachean ethics, said to be dedicated to aristotles son nicomachus, is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of western philosophy. But a difference is observable among these aims or ends. Objections to aristotle argument, nicomachean ethics, book ii, ch. In this lecture from my fall 2011 introduction to philosophy class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nichomachean ethics book 3 if youd like to. Nicomachean ethics, book ii by aristotle written 350 b. 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. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book 3 introduction to. Mar 31, 2011 aristotles nicomachean ethics, said to be dedicated to aristotles son nicomachus, is widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of western philosophy. 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.
Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. Jul 20, 2015 the nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. 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, which were either edited by or dedicated to aristotles son, nicomachus. This is all about friendship, which aristotle first defines and then breaks down into three types. 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 summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 8 summary. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle written 350 b. Because involuntary actions are those over which man has no control at all they do not belong in the field of ethics and man has no moral responsibility with reference to them. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. This edition includes notes and a glossary, intending to provide the reader with some sense of the terms and the concepts.
To summarize, aristotle raises the question of virtue. 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. Home other subjects philosophy classic books nicomachean ethics book ii, part i book ii, part i. As in regard to the virtues some men are called good in respect of a state of character, others in respect of an activity, so too in the case of friendship. 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. 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. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it. Need help with book 8 in aristotles nicomachean ethics. The nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. 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. Because involuntary actions are those over which man has no control at all they do not belong in the field of ethics and man has.
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. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness. Analysis for book iii he begins by distinguishing between actions that are voluntary and those that are involuntary. Why is happiness considered the best thing for humans. Addressing the question of how men should best live, aristotles treatise is not a mere philosophical meditation on the subject, but a practical examination that aims to provide a guide for living out its recommendations. 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. Accordingly, we are unsure if the book was dedicated to or inspired by either aristotles father or son.
In times of misfortune we turn to our friends for comfort or advise, for with friends men are more able to both think and act. In this lecture from my fall 2011 introduction to philosophy class at marist college, we discuss aristotles nicomachean ethics book 1, specifically. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. A brilliant thinker with wideranging interests, he wrote important works in physics, biology, poetry, politics, morality, metaphysics, and ethics. 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. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly part 5. 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. 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. This book centers the discussion on the topic of friendship. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle the internet classics archive. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics.
The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Cook aristotelian studies on the structure of the seventh book of the nicomachean ethics, chapters. Friendship will occupy a significant role in nicomachean ethics. Why does aristotle include a discussion about regimes in the middle of a section on friendship. If, then, there is some end of the things we do, which we desire for its own sake everything else being desired for the sake of this, and if we do not choose everything for the sake of something else for at that rate the process would go on to infinity, so that our desire would be empty and vain, clearly this must be the good and the chief good. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive. According to aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii, friendships are a very important component of human happiness. 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. Cambridge texts in the history of philosophy includes index. 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. Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Our next business after this will be to discuss friendship.
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 habit. Book beta of the nicomachean ethics by aristotle revolves around the central concept of virtue, in. Apr 29, 20 according to aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii, friendships are a very important component of human happiness. If you wish good things in this way, but the same wish is not returned by. 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. 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. 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. 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. A student of plato and a teacher of alexander the great, aristotle is one of the towering figures in western thought. We have tons of study questions for you here, all completely free. A catalogue record for this book is available from the british library library of congress cataloguing in publication data aristotle. Nicomachean ethics project gutenberg selfpublishing.
Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly part 6. Bring on the tough stuff theres not just one right answer. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. The nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotles bestknown work on ethics. In book iii, the translator ostwald renders sophrosyne as selfcontrol, but this is not the way most translators translate this word. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. This edition includes notes and a glossary, intending to provide the. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship. Ross 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.
1564 1302 1638 579 749 1600 1316 1072 1442 993 615 480 1529 168 7 1150 757 173 389 1353 867 381 938 136 763 1399 884 1606 184 1146 384 1570 1682 756 1116 1473 830 793 1239 882 743 1392 1353 1067 704 135