TOPIC 6

• Nicomachean Ethics


  A philosophical inquiry into the nature of the good life for a human being
• Ultimate good


  • Complete
  • Final
  • Self-sufficient
  • Continuous
• Happiness (eudaimonia)


  A type of activity, not a static state of being
• Human function


  Activity of the rational part of the soul according to reason
• Ethical virtue


  A habit disposed toward action by deliberate choice, being at the mean relative to us, and defined by reason as a prudent man would define it
• Voluntary action


  • Must not be caused by an external principle, and the person must contribute to the action
  • Proper intention is necessary, formed with reason or thought
• Bravery


  A mean between rashness and cowardice, facing and fearing what one should for the right reason, in the right manner and at the right time
• Temperance


  A mean with regard to bodily pleasures, moderately disposed with regard to pleasures and pains, loving such pleasures as right reason dictates
• Generosity


  A mean between wastefulness and stinginess, giving to the right person, the right amounts and at the right times, and taking proper care of possessions
• Munificence


  Giving large amounts for suitable occasions, a mean between meanness and ostentation
• Magnanimity


  Claiming and deserving great honors, a sort of ornament of virtues
• Right ambition


  A mean between too much and too little ambition regarding honor
• Good temper


  A mean between irascibility or bitterness, becoming angry on the right occasions, with the right people, at the right time and for the right length of time
• Friendliness


  A mean between flattery or obsequiousness and quarrelsomeness
• Truthfulness


  A mean between boastfulness and self-depreciation
• Wit


  A mean with regard to humor and amusement, saying the right things in the right manner and also listening to things properly
• Justice


  A mean between two extremes of unfairness, concerned with honor, property, safety and similar things
• Natural justice


  That which is just in all times and places
• Conventional justice


  That which is made up of laws and customs
• Prudence


  The intellectual virtue of practical reason, concerned with human actions and giving the ability to choose the virtuous mean in specific situations
• Continence and incontinence


  Concerned with bodily pleasures like temperance and intemperance, but distinct - the incontinent man knows what is bad but follows his passions, the continent man knows his desires are bad but does not follow them because of reason
• Friendship


  A necessary part of the good life, of three types: based on usefulness, pleasure, or virtue (the genuine type)
• Pleasure is a good, as it perfects actions, and the highest good (happiness) must involve pleasure
• Contemplation


  Man's highest action and most complete happiness, as it best fulfills the qualifications of the ultimate good
• Good laws and proper education are necessary to make people virtuous, especially for the young