The ethics of Aristotle: The Nichomachean ethics

by Aristotle

see image

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Classics

Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1974

About the author

Aristotle (Greek: Αριστοτέλης; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he began the wider Aristotelian tradition that followed, which set the groundwork for the development of modern science.
Little is known about Aristotle's life. He was born in the city of Stagira in northern Greece during the Classical period. His father, Nicomachus, died when Aristotle was a child, and he was brought up by a guardian. At 17 or 18, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of 37 (c. 347 BC). Shortly after Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and, at the request of Philip II of Macedon, tutored his son Alexander the Great beginning in 343 BC. He established a library in the Lyceum, which helped him to produce many of his hundreds of books on papyrus scrolls.
Though Aristotle wrote many treatises and dialogues for publication, only around a third of his original output has survived, none of it intended for publication. Aristotle provided a complex synthesis of the various philosophies existing prior to him. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion.
Aristotle's views profoundly shaped medieval scholarship. The influence of his physical science extended from late antiquity and the Early Middle Ages into the Renaissance, and was not replaced systematically until the Enlightenment and theories such as classical mechanics were developed. He influenced Judeo-Islamic philosophies during the Middle Ages, as well as Christian theology, especially the Neoplatonism of the Early Church and the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church.
Aristotle was revered among medieval Muslim scholars as "The First Teacher", and among medieval Christians like Thomas Aquinas as simply "The Philosopher", while the poet Dante Alighieri called him "the master of those who know". His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, and were studied by medieval scholars such as Pierre Abélard and Jean Buridan. Aristotle's influence on logic continued well into the 19th century. In addition, his ethics, although always influential, gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics.

Reviews

[Stephanie Weisgerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mood: Lofty, Ethereal
Theme: The pursuit of happiness through a virtuous life
Pace: Moderate, at times sluggish and redundant to drive home a point
Writing Quality: Masterful, Polished
Length: 8 hours 53 min. (Audible Edition)

Named for his son, Nichomachus, Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher and scientist, wrote this book as a manual on how to pursue the good life. He studied under Plato for over 20 years before branching out on his own. He also tutored Alexander the Great. He founded his own school, Lyceum, after disagreeing on some issues with Plato who had a school of his own called The Academy.

I found this book intriguing and deep. Aristotle argues quite effectively that to pursue happiness one must have reason combined with virtue of character. He believes virtue (showing high moral standards) isn't innate but rather developed through habituation of practice. Choosing the good moral choice over and over in life.

Some other topics covered in depth are courage, justice, practical judgement, and friendship. I especially enjoyed the chapter on friendship. Aristotle argues there are three kinds of friendships: Utility- Pleasure- and Virtue (Complete/Perfect friendship. He explores the depth of friendships of utility (mutual benefit, have something in common) and Pleasure (Shared enjoyment) and how they are temporary. The rarest form, Complete friendship, exists only among two people who are alike in virtue and is enduring because virtue is enduring. Their good characteristics lays a foundation for real love. Often two friends are having difficulties because one sees the other as a utility friend, (i/e my golf buddy) while the other is attempting to go deeper into a complete friendship. If virtue and character are not almost perfectly matched this becomes impossible.

This book will really cause you to look deeply inward and examine much of your beliefs and desires in light of the virtuous life. We often fall short in many areas but Aristotle provides a vivid roadmap to happiness. Highly recommend this book.

(Also of note, Hillsdale College offers free online courses and the one titled "Aristotle's Ethics: How to lead a good life" was thought provoking and intense. I really enjoyed the course. You can sign up at www.online.hillsdale.edu.)

[Jacqueline Juneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Act quickly, think slowly.

[Erin Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of this was over my head than I care to admit, but it doesn’t matter. It’s stunning how much influence Aristotle exerted upon philosophy, education, and culture more broadly.

[Cari Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

dude-bro philosophy at its finest. friendship part is the most interesting in my opinion. not a big fan of virtue ethics, sorry aristotle

[Hans Jakob Haland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noen annen selvhjelpsbok trengs ei.

Boken er dog et perfekt miljø for lange leddsetninger.

[Will Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This account of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is a brilliant introduction to the seminal figure, and his approach to morality and understanding of human nature. Compared to Plato, Aristotle appears more moderate and less dogmatic, with profounder insights into human psychology and motivation than his austere predecessor. His doctrine of the ‘golden mean’ occupies a large portion of the work, and the virtues and vices are outlined and elaborated in depth. Aristotle’s account of the good life (‘eudaimonia’) is convincing, and his arguments for human function and rationality are both plausible and enthralling, providing a compelling case for how to be happy (and one that seems far more contemporary than it really is). Absolutely the best place to start for an introduction to Aristotle, and a good work to read after Plato’s ‘Republic’, as it develops and challenges many of the doctrines therein.

[Margaret Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be unethical to rate it under 5 stars and also unethical to lie and say that I enjoyed it

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aristotle's great achievement was in applying psychology to ethics, and thus discovering reasons behind human actions, for good and evil. His contention that "no one does evil except out of ignorance" asks us to pause and consider before we pass judgment on the moral flaws of others. From here we may make a connection to presumed innocence before the law and trial by jury. Aristotle: father of Anglo-Saxon justice. It would take another sage, Kant, to take a giant leap forward in establishing the concept of "positive evil", born out of a willful rejection of society itself. This is the genius of Western civilization, in having mental monarchs battle for the soul of man.

[William Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early and important exposition of a virtue theory of ethics - that "the good" means "the pursuit of virtue" in an objective sense; as opposed to command-based theories or subjectivist theories. In very short terms, virtue is defined as a properly ordered medium between two vices - e.g. bravery is the proper medium between cowardice and rashness. Quite understandable as far as ancient philosophy goes, as long as you get a handle on a handful of technical terms. Discussions on various topics like bravery, friendship, love, pleasure, and the intellect remain valuable for contemplating ethics.

[Scott Hoopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational for any thought about virtue. Any virtue taken to an exteme becomes a vice. Virtues do not exist in isolation, but in supportive groupings. Essential to understand the wrong-headedness of so many appeals to isolated virtues.

[Claudia Dalmau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll probs re read it again in the future

[Gi Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best treatise on ethics

[Atlas · Rating 4 out of 5]

fab intro to ethics

[Uzair Rasool · Rating 4 out of 5]

The geometry lesson was unnecessary

[Ally Kaakoush · Rating 3 out of 5]

POLI 201 Class
Ethical questions: man in a dark cave
Don't remember much

[Siena Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

He made sense at least….still boring….

[Ken Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep pragmatic philosophy at its best.