Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Book II
Ethical Theory PL 3100 John F. Morris, Ph.D. Rockhurst University Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
A. To understand what will lead us to the “good” life, we must first study VIRTUE. 1) There are two categories of virtue. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
a) Virtues of THOUGHT: these develop slowly from teaching. Ø Virtues of Thought require time and experience to learn. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
b) Virtues of CHARACTER: these result from habit (ethos); they do not arise naturally in us, but must be implanted. Ø Virtues of Character are obtained like crafts and skills, through PRACTICE and GOOD HABITS. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
B. All virtues are ruined by excess or deficiency ­ virtues represent the MEAN between these extremes. Excess
Rashness
MEAN deficiency
BRAVERY cowardly
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics B. All virtues are ruined by excess or deficiency ­ virtues represent the MEAN between these extremes. Excess
MEAN
deficiency
Intemperate TEMPERATE boorish
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
C. Just doing a good action is not enough to be truly virtuous: 1) First: one must know that they are doing a virtuous action. Ø The action cannot be done by luck or accident. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
2) Second: the action must be chosen for itself, because it is good. Ø One cannot be considered truly virtuous if one does a good action for a bad reason. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
3) Virtuous actions must be done in a firm and unchanging state. Ø The truly virtuous person is not just good some of the time ­ but is consistently good. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
D. All three criteria are necessary for being a truly virtuous person: a) one must know they are doing a virtuous action; b) the action must be chosen because it is good; c) the action must be done in an unchanging state. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
E. How do we define “virtue”? 1) Virtue is a STATE that causes its possessor to perform its function well. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
2) So, a human “virtue” will be a state that makes a human being perform her or his function well. Ø Therefore, virtues help make human beings GOOD. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
3) The key is to use RIGHT REASON: To do things at the right time, about the right things, towards the right people, for the right end, and in the right way. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics 4) However, not every action admits of the MEAN: actions like adultery, theft, and murder are always base and vicious!
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
5) Thus, Aristotle does believe in some moral absolutes – some actions are always right or wrong! Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
F. Being virtuous takes hard work. “It is hard work to be excellent … getting angry, or giving and spending money, is easy and anyone can do it; but doing it to the right person, in the right amount, at the right time, for the right end, and in the right way is no longer easy, nor can everyone do it. Hence, doing these things well is rare, praiseworthy and fine.” Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Non­virtuous Person Virtuous action #1 Virtuous action #2 Virtuous action #3 Virtuous Person Virtuous action #n It takes time and practice to acquire the habit of virtue. The state of always doing virtuous actions.