GTX 2301
Fall 2013
Topics for First Essay on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
1. “The noble things and the just things, which the political art examines, admit of much
dispute and variability, such that they are held to exist by convention alone and not by
nature,” Aristotle writes in Nicomachean Ethics 1.3 (1094b15). How and why do noble and
just things vary, according to Aristotle? Are those who infer from this variability the
conclusion that they exist “by convention alone” right to make this inference? Exactly what
is faulty about it? In your paper, written for the ideal reader (see below), you should, first,
give particular examples of noble and just things and show how much or how little they
vary, second, show whether Aristotle would (or would not) take the inference mentioned
above to be a legitimate one; and third, show the degree to which Aristotle thinks that
noble and just things can be grounded in something less variable than nomos (convention,
custom, law).
2. “Greatness of soul,” Aristotle claims in Nicomachean Ethics 4.3 is a virtue. But why? Just
what is greatness of soul? And what makes it a virtue? What are the characteristics that
belong to the great-souled man? Drawing on your close reading of Aristotle’s text, describe
with precision who the great-souled man is and how he differs from other human types.
Do not merely repeat Aristotle’s words; illustrate in your own terms, so that the “ideal
reader” (see below) understands. Then make as a strong a case as you can for the necessity
of this virtue.
3. “If we love ourselves more, we love others less, since to love ourselves is selfish and
egoistic. To be truly altruistic, we cannot love ourselves.” Drawing upon the treatment of
friendship that we find in Books 8 and 9 of the Ethics, show how Aristotle would address
this particular (and quite common) sentiment. In the course of your paper, you will need to
acquaint the reader—the ideal reader (see below)—with the main lines of Aristotle’s
treatment of friendship.
*Who is this mysterious “ideal reader”? It is the reader for whom you should imagine
yourself writing—an intelligent person capable of understanding and enjoying your essay,
but who does not yet know anything about Aristotle. Think of your mother, or your best
friend, or perhaps even your roommate. (The ideal reader is not the professor. Why not? I
will leave this as an exercise for the reader. But do ask me about it, if you like.)
Choose one of the above topics, and write a clear, well-organized essay that addresses the
topic, grounded in your reading of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Essays must be 4-6
pages, double spaced, 1” margins, 10 or 12 point standard font. Mastery of standard
written English is expected. When quoting the Ethics directly, cite Aristotle’s text in the
Barlett/Collins translation by book and section number, and then page number, followed a
colon and Bekker number. Example: “happiness is a certain activity of soul in accord with
complete virtue” (1.13, 23: 1102a5). Observe that the period goes outside the closing
parenthesis.
All papers are due in class on October 22. No paper will be accepted after the end of class
on the 22nd.