Book II of the work‚ Aristotle distinguishes between moral virtues‚ which are learned through habit and practice‚ and intellectual virtues‚ which are learned through instruction. However‚ it is not until later in Book II that Aristotle actually defines virtue. He opens Chapter 5 with‚ "Next we must consider what virtue is" (35) and at its end asserts that virtue is a state of character. Therefore‚ the conclusion of the whole argument is: Virtue is a state of character. Aristotle first makes the following
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actions are such Their life‚ therefore‚ has no further need of pleasure as a sort of adventitious charm‚ but has pleasure in itself." Ethics‚ I.8 Aristotle was a student under Plato‚ and although he did not believe in the metaphysical Forms that Plato so firmly believed in‚ he did apply an element of the theory behind the Forms. Instead‚ what Aristotle postulated was that there was some ultimate‚ some final goal to which we all reach‚ but instead of being some unattainable goal‚ it was very simple:
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sight". This is the foundation of human knowledge Aristotle presents us with in Book Alpha of the Metaphysics. The next question which we must naturally ask ourselves is‚ How? How is it that we can have any knowledge at all? We by our very nature desire to know and we love the senses in themselves but what is the relationship between the two and by what faculty are we able to call anything knowledge once sense perception has occurred? Aristotle sets up as his faculty for knowledge both the active
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Can Superior and Inferior People Become Complete Friends? This paper examines whether inferior and superior people can be friends based on complete friendship according to Aristotle. First‚ I will clarify the definition of a complete friendship and what it entails. Secondly‚ I will explain the different types of equal and unequal friendships in accordance with complete friendship. Then I will show how different levels of affection follow the forms of inequality and how a sort of equality can
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Aristotle on Causality 1. Introduction Aristotle was not the first person to engage in a causal investigation of the world around us. From the very beginning‚ and independently of Aristotle‚ the investigation of the natural world consisted in the search for the relevant causes of a variety of natural phenomena. From the Phaedo‚ for example‚ we learn that the so-called “inquiry into nature” consisted in a search for “the causes of each thing; why each thing comes into existence‚ why it goes
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Plato and Aristotle Dialogue As I was at Plato’s Academy‚ I overhear an argument between Plato and Aristotle. The two were in an intensive argument over the theory of forms and the theory of knowledge. As I listened‚ I noticed that the two had extremely different viewpoints on the issues‚ but both men had compelling arguments. The first heated discussion was on the theory of knowledge. Plato’s views on knowledge were interesting to me. Plato believed that knowledge about reality comes from within
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Despite several overlapping similarities between Aristotle and Kant on virtue ethics‚ there are fundamental differences between their view on the source of virtuous action. In this paper‚ I will argue‚ the underpinning behind each respectable view differs; as Aristotle believes virtuous action derives from choices lying in the mean whereas‚ Kant does not hold that virtuous action lies in the mean‚ but rather‚ holds they proceed from duty acting in accordance with universal principles. The fundamental
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The Pursuit of Happiness In Book I of Neomachean Ethics Aristotle explores the issue of happiness in order to determine the nature of the experience and its effects on the way people live their lives. He talks about the success and fulfillment of happiness and how it is our highest goal. However‚ Aristotle does not say that we should aim for happiness‚ but we do aim at happiness. His point is not to say that we should live happy lives‚ but to show us what a happy life consists of. He states a
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Aristotle Life Aristotle was born in the year 384 B.C in Stagira‚ Greece. Aristotle’s father was a court physician to a Macedonian king. Aristotle would the Macedonian influence for the rest of his life and will keep strong connections the Macedonian court. When Aristotle was 17 he was sent to Athens for a better education where he then attended Plato’s Academy‚ the finest school in Athens. Aristotle created a very close relationship with Plato and his academy. Aristotle did not take over Plato’s
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good animal must sense well‚ be able to move around‚ and have an appetite. A man is much more complex than an animal or plant because man has the powers of intelligence and will. In order to be a good man‚ it is not enough to sense things well‚ run fast‚ eat the right foods‚ etc. A good man must live in accordance to his nature of intelligence and will. Thus‚ a good man is one who reasons and chooses well. Aristotle argued that each individual acts towards an end‚ and that this end is happiness
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