Political Philosophy and Human Beings
POLI SCI 10 NOTES FEBRUARY 4, 2014
Eudaimonia vs. Freedom
Freedom is generally term we use to talk about politics in our society nowadays.
Eudaimonia is not a freedom but it betrays a more general difference in the way Aristotle approaches different societies.
Eduaimonia is a biological concept with “your life going well”
With your naturally attributes being fully developed.
It is not a matter of your mood.
If you ask if someone is flourishing it is more than if they are happy it is are they becoming everything they can be. Are they exercising all of their abilities?
Freedom doesn’t have anyting to do with success. Freedoms for Aristotle is part of eudaimonia.
Eudaimonia is a collection of goods. You need material things and good luck and freedom and food and water.
Pg. 258 Aristotle says eudaimonia is a STATE OF ACTIVITY. VERY IMPORTANT.
It is not just well being but also well doing. You’re a Eudaimonistic person only if you enact the activities of a eudaimonistic person.
You cant be a good citizen or a happy citizen if you just have rights. You have to exercise these rights. Some kind of activity.
Different activities in different cities because different cities have different rules and constitutions.
Citizenship is a kind of doing. Citizens have function.
The activity of citizens is that which supports the constitution of the city or state or polis which they are apart.
The point of the polis is not just living but to have a good life. A good life that combines the success of the individual with the success of a whole. It is always in motion and an activity.
Book 3 chapter 9 a polis is not the same thing as an alliance. You cant take any political agreement between 2 or 3 cities and make them one city.
Only human beings because they have language Aristotle says can make moral judgments. Not like animals judge where the food is but more complex judgments. Page 10 and 11.
Our language is capable of making distinctions that aren’t only
Eudaimonia vs. Freedom
Freedom is generally term we use to talk about politics in our society nowadays.
Eudaimonia is not a freedom but it betrays a more general difference in the way Aristotle approaches different societies.
Eduaimonia is a biological concept with “your life going well”
With your naturally attributes being fully developed.
It is not a matter of your mood.
If you ask if someone is flourishing it is more than if they are happy it is are they becoming everything they can be. Are they exercising all of their abilities?
Freedom doesn’t have anyting to do with success. Freedoms for Aristotle is part of eudaimonia.
Eudaimonia is a collection of goods. You need material things and good luck and freedom and food and water.
Pg. 258 Aristotle says eudaimonia is a STATE OF ACTIVITY. VERY IMPORTANT.
It is not just well being but also well doing. You’re a Eudaimonistic person only if you enact the activities of a eudaimonistic person.
You cant be a good citizen or a happy citizen if you just have rights. You have to exercise these rights. Some kind of activity.
Different activities in different cities because different cities have different rules and constitutions.
Citizenship is a kind of doing. Citizens have function.
The activity of citizens is that which supports the constitution of the city or state or polis which they are apart.
The point of the polis is not just living but to have a good life. A good life that combines the success of the individual with the success of a whole. It is always in motion and an activity.
Book 3 chapter 9 a polis is not the same thing as an alliance. You cant take any political agreement between 2 or 3 cities and make them one city.
Only human beings because they have language Aristotle says can make moral judgments. Not like animals judge where the food is but more complex judgments. Page 10 and 11.
Our language is capable of making distinctions that aren’t only