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Analysis Of Aristotle's Function Argument

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The purpose of Aristotle’s function argument is to determine the function of the human being. The role of the argument in Aristotle’s investigation is to identify the true human good, which in essence, will help humans to live well and happy lives. He uses rationality as a basis for his arguments, stating that the characteristic is unique to human life because no other living organisms are able to act and think in accordance with reason. Therefore cannot live, to the same extent, the happy and function-fulfilling life that humans are able to. It is useful to understand the concept of function as it applies to human beings because without it, we would not understand how it connects with our virtues and human good. Virtues, as Aristotle describes …show more content…

For example, the function of the eye is to see, and we declare 20/20 vision to be good vision. The reason for this is because we are able to see an adequate distance at 20 feet away, if we were able to see at a distance of a mile or more, it wouldn’t be better because, according to Aristotle, we need to find the equilibrium of things in our lives. To be deficit in sight would mean to be blind, but having an excess of sight, like being able to see for over a mile, would prove to be counterproductive because we need to focus on what is at a close or relative distance from us and not something that is so far away. While eagles in flight may be able to see at a distance of two miles, this occurrence does not pose a threat to Aristotle’s idea of the function of the eye and its good because being able to see at that distance is relevant to the bird’s survival. It is necessary for the eagle to see such far distances in order capture its prey, sustain itself, and determine a safe location for it to land; however, humans do not need to see at such far distances in their daily modern lives. Since seeing far distances is not essential for daily life, we can argue that having the feature would not improve our ability to live well, and or live better, therefore prove unnecessary for humans to see at such far

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