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. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in nicomachean ethics, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. To summarize, aristotle raises the question of virtue. In this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotle s nicomachean ethics book viii. In many ways this work parallels aristotles eudemian ethics, which has only eight books, and the two works can be fruitfully compared. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Sep 30, 2017 in this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotle s nicomachean ethics book viii. 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.
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. The nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics kindle edition by ross, david, lesley brown, lesley brown, david ross. Course hero literature instructor russell jaffe provides an indepth summary and analysis of book 8 of aristotle. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. Aristotle addresses the topic of friendship in book 8 and 9 of his nicomachean ethics. Then there is a section concerning kalokagathia, the beautiful and good nobility of a gentleman, a virtue which implies all the moral virtues as well as good fortune. Friendship will occupy a significant role in nicomachean ethics. Among its most outstanding features are aristotle s insistence that there are no known. In nicomachean ethics, aristotle goes on to discuss in much more detail what conditions make an action worthy of praise or blame. Title nicomachean ethics, books viii and ix resource type book authors aristotle.
Chapter viii cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. A summary of book vii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Aristotle, great greek philosopher, researcher, reasoner, and writer, born at stagirus in 384 bce, was the son of nicomachus, a physician, and phaestis. Chapter v varying views of the good life summary it is generally assumed that a mans idea of happiness and the good is derived from the kind of life he leads. The intemperate person doesnt even recognize his or her vice, but. He is not solely interested in happiness for the individual, but also for the community. The nicomachean ethics full audio book by aristotle 384 bce 322 bce translated by thomas taylor 17581835 the work consists of ten books. Nicomachean ethics pdf summary aristotle 12min blog. Aristotle makes the argument that friends can be regarded as second selves.
Aristotle s nicomachean ethics explained with book summaries in just a few minutes. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. This is hardly a digression from the main line of argument. Aristotle views ethics as a necessary part of political science. 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. One lays down the end toward which one is striving for example, a doctor aiming to cure, or an orator looking to persuade, and then examine the ways and means to achieve it. According to aristotle, every craft, line of inquiry, action, and decision seeks some end, or good, but these goods differ. 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. The nicomachean ethics, aristotle the nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotle s bestknown work on ethics. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle written 350 b.
A summary of book i in aristotles nicomachean ethics. 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. Although a flatterer can get insincere honor, it is hard to find insincere love. 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. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The nicomachean ethicsalong with an earlier inquiry called the eudemian ethicsare part of a larger conversation about community that culminates in his work politics. Find the quotes you need to support your essay, or refresh your memory of the book by reading these key quotes. 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. This book centers the discussion on the topic of friendship. Aristotle says that a different type of friendship is that which rests on superioritylike, for instance, the relationship between a father and son, an older person and younger person, a man and a woman, and a ruler and the ruled. Aristotle says that just as virtuous behavior improves an individual, friends have the potential to generate improvements upon each others lives.
Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Cambridge texts in the history of philosophy includes index. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. The nicomachean ethics full audiobook greatest audio books the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to. A summary of book viii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. In complete friendship, aristotle implies, equality will not even come up as a concern. Aristotles nicomachean ethics book 10 flashcards quizlet. He studied under plato read full character analysis. In section 8 aristotle examines the currencies of friendship, which are love and honor. Aristotles friendship nicomachean ethics assignment. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Though written more than 2,000 years ago, it offers the modern reader many valuable insights into human needs and conduct. Aristotle explains that incontinence cant be classified with bestial behaviors, which often result from disease, madness, or abuse. It consists of ten books all of them originally written as separate scrolls and is based on aristotles notes from his lectures at the lyceum, the ancient university founded by the great.
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. Nicomachean ethics book eight summary and analysis. Dec 10, 2018 the nicomachean ethics is aristotles bestknown work on ethics and, quite possibly, the most influential book on the subject ever written. Study guide for aristotles politics aristotle s politics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Continence and incontinence have to do with pleasures and pains. 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 makes this assertion in book viii, chapter 1. 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. Analysis for book iii cliffsnotes study guides book. 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. At this point in aristotle s discussion, there is a pronounced shift from a focus on the individual pursuit of virtue to the role of virtue in relationships and communities. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics. 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 aristotle. Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight.
Aristotles politics book viii summary and analysis. Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. Aristotle was a macedonian who lived between 384 b. The first arises mostly from teaching and requires experience and time to mature. In common belief, why is friendship the most necessary.
He said that there exists an absolute good which is the source of all goodness of whatever form or kind in the universe. For this reason also the question is asked, whether happiness is to be acquired by learning or by habituation or some other sort of training, or comes in virtue of some divine providence or again by chance. One of the dominant theories in the study of ethics is platos conception of the universal good, the doctrine of forms. For example, health is the end of medicine, a boat the end of boatbuilding, and. Aristotle argues that decency is actually superior to justice. Aristotle s nichomachean ethics begins with a simple premise, which is that everyone wants to be happy. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
This video is one component in a set of online courses covering aristotle s entire nicomachean ethics. 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. The meaning of justice constitutes the subject matter of this book. Reading questions for nicomachean ethics book viii and ix. Aristotle feels individuals and communities are inseparable, whether the community is a family, a tribe, or a city.
The nicomachean ethics, aristotle s most important study of personal morality and the ends of human life, has for many centuries been a widelyread and influential book. He claims that this is because a universal law sometimes falls short of being able to address every particular, and in such cases, decency makes up the deficiency in the law. Chapter vi cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics. 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. According to aristotle, deliberation typically concerns situations of uncertain outcome, when one must discern the right way to act. If there are various possible means to an end, one. It is one of the most important topics discussed in the nicomachean ethics for justice was often used by the greeks in a manner that was practically synonymous with goodness. The nicomachean ethics full audiobook greatest audio books the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his. Analysis for book iii he begins by distinguishing between actions that are voluntary and those that are involuntary. He justifies this belief by arguing that if the community is in disharmony, so will the person be. The likely speaker throughout the work, since nicomachean ethics is believed to have been derived from aristotle s lecture notes.
Nicomachean ethics by aristotle 9780674990814 hardcover. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it. The best way to become happy takes up much of the rest of the work, as aristotle examines the nature of happiness what sort of actions lead to it. 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. 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. Home other subjects philosophy classic books nicomachean ethics book i, part ix book i, part ix. 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. Book viii discusses the epistemological aspect of virtue, which as rackham notes is treated in book i section 9 of nicomachean ethics, and also discusses good luck. Plus easytounderstand solutions written by experts for thousands of other textbooks. It will be recalled that in platos republic the theme of the entire book was an attempt to find a satisfactory answer to the question what is.
Oxford university press isbn translated by pakaluk, m. And unlike the viciously intemperate person, whos incurable, the incontinent person is curable. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness. Apr 29, 20 nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle according to aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii, friendships are a very important component of human happiness. Aristotle outlines two sorts of virtue virtue of thought and virtue of character. 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. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship. Studers aristotle politics books iviii constitution.
This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of nicomachean ethics. Koop aristotle politics books i viii constitution of athens nicomachean ethics e. Neither friendship nor justice is listed in aristotles table of virtues and vices, because both are more. Siyu liu reading questions for nicomachean ethics, book viii and ix 1. The main gist of aristotle s argument is on the relationship between friendship. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. The nicomachean ethics oxford worlds classics kindle. Both topics discuss the good for the individual and the community. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. The latter term is frequently used by aristotle to denote the material. Books v, vi, and vii of the nicomachean ethics are identical to books iv, v, and vi of the eudemian ethics.
These include 94 lecture videos, 45 downloadable handouts and worksheets, 10. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly. 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. A catalogue record for this book is available from the british library library of congress cataloguing in publication data aristotle. Start studying aristotle s nicomachean ethics book 10.
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