Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

 The good = what

all things aim at
 We study Ethics,
not merely to
know, but to
attain the good &
to live good lives
The Good for Man = Eudaimonia

 complete, sufficient
 a fulfilling human life
 human ergon = think
on/lead a good life
 = a teleological ethics
 Defn = “rational activity
with virtue”
– focused on the goal =
how to make my life
good/fulfilling?
Major Claims
 Ethics = quest for
the good
 The good =
happiness-in-
rational activity
 Possible to attain in
a life of virtuous
activities together
with friends
 Contrasting ethical theories
Ancient: Modern
 Relativism  Relativism
 Universalism – Existentialism
– ‘Command’ theories (authenticity-ethics)
• Divine Command  Universalism
• Polis laws – Deontology (Kant:
– Hedonism categorical imperative)
– Eudaimonist – Utilitarianism (Mill: the
• Socrates?/Stoics: greater good)
virtue alone =
happiness
• Callicles:
dominance = virtue
= happiness
 Contrasting Ethical Claims
KANTIANS ARISTOTELIANS:
 Categorical Imperative  vs. KANTIANS
Universal Moral Rules  Ethics = ideal way of life,
 Possible conflict bet. Moral not principles of action
duty vs. Happiness  C.I. does not work
 Virtue = means to Duty, not  Justice = constitutive of
ends happiness
 Self-fulfillment in virtue,
even in e.g. war
UTILITARIANS
 Utility /Greatest Good =
Highest ethical principle vs. UTILITARIANS
 Pleasure = subjective
 Good = pleasure or greatest aspect of good
happiness  Good is happiness, not
 Conflict bet. personal pleasure
happiness vs. greater good  Self-sacrifice for “greater
(including others) good” may not be just; but
may be for “enlarged self”
 Virtue (arete)
Moral Stages:
 Virtues of character  Mature, rational person
(moral virtues)
– Chooses own goals, values
– Courage – Moral + intellectual virtue
– Temperance  Maturing self
– Justice – Obedient to moral guidance,
 Virtues of mind sense of honor
(intellectual virtues) – Moral-behavioral ‘virtues’
– Practical wisdom  Immature ego
(phronesis) – Acts on impulse/feelings
– Philosophical wisdom – Opposes morals
(sophia)
 Interpersonal virtue:  Moral Ed changes:
– Friendship (philia) • immature ego 
• moral self 
• rational person
Moral development

 Actions
– Voluntary vs. coerced,
done in ignorance
– Chosen
–  “habits of choice,”
character
 Virtue involves:
– Knowing the act
– Choosing it for its
own sake
– A consistent state of
character
Friendship (filia)
 Friendships of
– utility
– pleasure
– virtue
 Friendship = bridges
egoism / altruism
 True friendship
– based in self-love
– “expands the self”
 Is Altruism Possible?
ARISTOTLE
 Ethical egoism = seek  Friendships: most
good for oneself. egoistic = based on
 Altruism = do good for pleasure/utility
another (for their sake)  Perfect friendship
 Counterexamples: – Based on virtue
– mutual recognition
– sacrifice for child,
– Non-competitive
friend who betrays
– includes pleasure, utility
– Still do it? – Friend is “other self”
 Friendships = alliances – Self is “expanded self”
for mutual benefit or  Friendship & Egoism
emotional attachments – bridges gap between
(temporary? long- egoism and altruism
lasting?) – Even “self-sufficient”
virtuous person needs
friends
The Good Life and Politics
 subjective vs. objective good
– pleasure/joyfulness vs.
happiness/flourishing
 2 forms of “the good life”
– contemplative (theoria)
• Vision of God
• Perfect happiness
– active (praxis)
• Imperfect happiness
• Necessary & good
Aristotle’s Politics II:
rule by philosopher-kings impossible;
men need the rule of law

 GOOD GOVTS  BAD GOVTS

– Constitutional – Tyranny = rule by
Monarchy fear (lawless)
– Constitutional – Oligarchy = govt
Aristocracy by the rich
– Constitutional – Democracy = rule
Republic; blends by working class
other forms (least bad)