Aristotle's Argument On What Makes A Good Life
Within the given extract from Aristotle's ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ one’s interpretation is that Aristotle aims to continue the discussion on what makes a Good Life, which specific focus on what exactly the Good is. Aristotle starts by explaining that cultured men, educated and successful, “identify the Good with honour” as this is perceived to be the “goal of the political life”. Aristotle disagrees with identification, justifying this by explaining honour to be a superficial argument, being that it focuses on the gaining of something (ie power) over others, which is ultimately not Good motivation. Aristotle sees it that “People[...]seek honour in order to convince themselves of their own goodness”. Many would argue that to act only to justify one's own actions is not the entirety of the Good Life, as it has selfish motivations and selfishness is not part of the true nature of the Good Life. Aristotle argument continues, “goodness rather than honour is the end pursued in public life”. Perhaps here it can be said that ‘goodness’ is the unselfish pursuit …show more content…
Due to taking the Good Life to only be acting in accordance with goodness, this levels all lives, whether one is suffering or living in luxury, where in reality it is not the case that any life can be a Good Life if only one lives in accordance with goodness. However, it can be said that just because one suffers all their life does not mean they have to be unhappy though one feels that this is not what Aristotle is meaning to argue. Instead, one believes Aristotle to accept that suffering does not mean a bad life, however, this fact in itself means that goodness is not enough for a Good Life and that the true nature of the Good Life is not revealed in
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313 Words | 2 PagesIn Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that the human good is the soul’s activity that expresses virtue. Aristotle concludes this from an invalid argument. On the one hand I do agree that the activity expressing virtue is a requirement for the human good. But on the other hand, I insist that the human good is a state and not an action. By modifying this argument, I believe we can reach a new conclusion that will help us better understand what Aristotle meant by these concepts.
Compare And Contrast Aristotle And The Pursuit Of Happiness Essay
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Aristotle's Function Argument
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Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics
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1495 Words | 6 PagesIn Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he outlines the different scenarios in which one is responsible for her actions. There is, however, a possible objection which raises the possibility that nobody is responsible for their actions. Are we responsible for some of our actions after all? If so, under what circumstances?
Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Argument
1210 Words | 5 PagesSince “any action is well performed when it is performed in accordance with the appropriate virtue”(1098a15), a good performance of function (which is a display of goodness) is virtuous. For example, a good lyre player is a virtuous player. In the previous part, he concludes that function of humans is rational activity, or the soul acting in accordance to reason. In humans’ case, a good performance of rational activity is thus a display of virtue. For example, as morality is a part of rationale, the good performance of morality can lead an individual towards a virtuous and good life.
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The Chief Good In Life
1118 Words | 5 PagesAccording to Aristotle, everything we do in life, we do for the sake of some good, or at least something we perceive to be good. We call an act good if it satisfies a certain need. The satisfaction of this need is then considered good if it is a means for satisfying some further need, and this in turn is good if it will satisfy still another need. Sooner or later this process reaches a point where it is no longer a means for some further end but is an end in itself. This final end is what Aristotle means by the chief good.
Why Are We Obligate To Safe Public Order?
606 Words | 3 Pages(“Sparknotes on Nicomachean Ethics”) which includes success, fulfilment and flourishing. He advocates the aggression of young adults to strive for higher social status and to pursue public office. Living with virtues would be an element which builds up our disposition and attains to happiness (1103a, 1171b). The virtuous soul promotes behaviours with rationality and aims for perfection and distinction (1098a). Serving in the public office not only could help others, but it also enriches our knowledge and benefits our soul.
Aristotle: The Ultimate Goal Of Human Life
758 Words | 4 PagesIn short knowing and doing are in the same line. In knowing the truth your virtues will ultimately be guided by this knowledge. The “telos” or ultimate goal of human life for Aristotle is to attain “happiness”. “Happiness” here is does not mean the common meaning which we use everyday but it is more synonymous to the war “eudaimonia” which means to be in a state of being that is in good spirit. This emphasis that happiness is not just a temporary thing but a permanent outlook on life which means that they only way for us to truly know whether we have had a happy life is when we die.
Definition Essay On Good Life
1084 Words | 5 PagesIn other words, good life mean to me when life looks like a blessing than a burden. This essay aims to provide more than one answers about what does a good life mean? Human beings, since their apparition is often misled what it is really mean a good life. We have been seen on the television or magazines that having a good life means being rich or famous when many of them, in reality, are miserable by a problem that wouldn’t affect ordinary people.
Examples Of Virtues In Living A Good Life
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