Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
Ethical Theory
PL 3100
John F. Morris, Ph.D.
Rockhurst University
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
I. Book III
A. The central purpose of Book III for
Aristotle is to clarify what types of
action go into developing character.
1) Simply put – not all
actions impact our
character.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
Only those actions that
we meant to do, and which
we thought carefully about,
really matter to character.
The key aspect of human action
is
CHOICE.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
Objectively GOOD
Chosen for the MEAN
Virtuous
= PRAISE
Voluntary
Objectively BAD
Excess or Deficiency
Vicious
= BLAME
Action
Objectively GOOD
Chosen from FORCE
or IGNORANCE
Involuntary
Objectively BAD
Chosen from FORCE
or IGNORANCE
Pity
= or
Pardon
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
Action
“In” ignorance = an action done without
the proper knowledge;
This is VICIOUS!
however, the ignorance
does not cause the
action.
“By” ignorance = the cause of the action
is an ignorance of some
This is pardonable.
of the particulars of the
situation - who, what,
with what, why, how,
and in what manner.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
B. Decision (Prohaireton)
1) Actions caused by emotion or appetite
are not involuntary.
a) Animals and children act
voluntarily, but they act
on emotion and appetite.
However, animals and children do not act with decision.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
2) Decision: requires prior deliberation,
which involves reason and thought.
a) Thus, it derives its name: pro (before)
haireton (chosen/decided).
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
C. The Good: Real or Apparent?
1) Aristotle recognizes a puzzle that
relates back to Book I.
a) It was recognized that people
search for different goods, but
ultimately one, TRUE GOOD.
But does everyone seek the TRUE GOOD all the time?
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
2) Aristotle’s response is that the virtuous
person truly wishes for the GOOD.
a) Base persons, given over
to vice, substitute an
apparent good for the
TRUE GOOD.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
3) The excellent person is the standard for
GOODNESS.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
D. Virtuous or Vicious?
1) According to Aristotle, in regards to
knowledge, human beings are born
with a tabula rasa, or blank slate.
a) That is, we are born without
any knowledge, but acquire
it through life.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
2) Aristotle argues that the same is true
of our moral character.
a) Human beings are born
with a “moral” blank slate.
We are neither naturally virtuous,
nor naturally vicious.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
3) Rather, since human beings are capable
of acting with deliberation and decision,
we CHOOSE to be virtuous or vicious.
Our actions form
our character.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
4) This reflects Aristotle’s theory that we
become virtuous or vicious by acquiring
either good or bad habits.
But can someone
overcome
a bad habit?
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
II. Book V: Justice
A. Justice: the state that makes us do just
actions and wish what is just.
1) Justice is complete virtue.
2) This is why justice often
seems supreme among the
Virtues of Character.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
B. The best person is not one who exercises
virtue only towards himself, but to others
as well.
This is the mark of
Justice!
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
III. Books VI - IX: The Virtues of Thought
A. There are five Virtues of Thought
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
B. For ethics, INTELLIGENCE is the
most important.
1) It involves knowledge of the
Common Good.
a) To correctly identify one’s
own good, one must make
reference to the community.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
2) This stresses Aristotle’s belief in the
social nature of humanity.
a) Our good is connected with the
good of others.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
C. Intelligence is a state in which one
grasps the truth about what is good or
bad for a human being.
1) Intelligence is not the same
as “book” learning – rather,
it is practical wisdom =
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
D. The PRUDENT person is one who
always seems to do things well.
1) She or he always seems
to make the correct choices
in difficult decisions.
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Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
E. The Need for PRUDENCE
1) The TRUE GOOD is only apparent
to the excellent person.
a) Vice corrupts us and
produces false views
of the GOOD.
Just as illness corrupts our bodies.
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Books III - IX
2) We cannot be “intelligent” – have the
right state in regards to the human good –
without having a good character.
Virtues
of
Character
lead to
Virtues
of
Thought
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