Philia is the emotional bond between human beings which provides the basis for all forms of social organization, common effort, and personal relationships between people. Its one of those texts that is worth rereading a couple of times in ones life, for as we mature, we are privy to new insights offered by this great person. Nicomachean ethics if it is in our power to act nobly, it is also in our power to do evil. As the opposite of bestiality it will be most suitable to speak of superhuman virtue, or goodness on. For no one would choose to live without friends, but possessing all other good things. Nicomachean ethics 2nd edition by aristotle, 1999 online. Aristotle 384322bc is the philosopher who has most influence on the development of western culture, writing on a wide variety of subjects including the natural sciences as well as the more strictly philosophical topics of logic, metaphysics and ethics. Topics covered include the role of luck in human wellbeing, responsibility, courage, justice, friendship and pleasure. The nicomachean ethics is one of aristotles most widely read and influential works. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of nicomachean ethics. We all want to know the answer to that one and aristotle pondered this question long and hard. Mar 30, 2000 aristotles nicomachean ethics, based on lectures that he gave in athens in the fourth century bce, is one of the most significant works in moral philosophy, and has profoundly influenced the whole course of subsequent philosophical endeavour.
Our investigation shall follow the same course as the preceding discussions. We see that all men mean by justice that kind of state of character which makes people disposed to do what is just and. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. The state of friendship distinguished from the activity of friendship and from the feeling of friendliness. As in regard to the virtues some men are called good in respect of a state of character, others in respect of an activity, so too in the case of friendship. Friendship is one of the essential components of the good life, and the value of friendship is in having and enjoying it.
Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics. Every art or enquiry aims at achieving some good, but what good is we cannot know with precision. Nicomachean ethics5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general. Nicomachean ethics quizzes about important details and events in every section of the book. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Aristotle on friendship book 8 of the nicomachean ethics february 7, 2011 february 20, 2011 neel burton after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by. Tidying it up has shrunk the book from 85,000 to 9,500 words, but may give the impression of greater coherence than is actually present in the original.
Principles of philosophy, masterworks series volume 1 by s. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotles treatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. We now examine incontinence and softness, or effeminacy, and their opposites, continence and endurance. This course is taught at the university of north carolina greensboro. The translation of this passage is that of rackham in the loeb classical library edition of the nicomachean ethics. In practice aristotle explains that people tend more by nature towards pleasures, and therefore see virtues as being relatively closer to the less obviously pleasant extremes. The discussion concerning incontinence which occupies the greater portion of this book brings to light an important characteristic of greek ethics and one that stands in sharp contrast with the views presented in the judeochristian tradition. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. This book centers the discussion on the topic of friendship. Ross book viii 1 after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Next we must take a different point to start from, and observe that of what is to be avoided in respect of moral character there are three forms. At this point in aristotles discussion, there is a pronounced shift from a focus on the individual pursuit of virtue to the role of virtue in relationships and communities. Accordingly, we are unsure if the book was dedicated to or inspired by either aristotles father or son.
But a difference is observable among these aims or ends. Rereading it provided me an amazing aha so much more made sense to me. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle written 350 b. Jul 20, 2015 the nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. After this, the next step would be a discussion of friendship, since it is a virtue or involves virtue, and is an absolute necessity in life. It is important that friendship be active, since aristotle treats friendship as an energeia, akin to pleasure and happiness. If you are interested in more courses including through. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics. The work, which plays a preeminent role in defining aristotelian ethics, consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes from his lectures at the lyceum. Happiness is an activity of the soul according to virtue. Aristotle explains that friendship is the act of loving rather than the act of being loved. Books viii and ix clarendon aristotle series 9780198751045.
Every art and every kind of inquiry, and like in an lie dou man seelrf wiqe every act and purpose, seems to aim at sorne. Oct 31, 2017 this is a video lecture from phi 251, history of ancient philosophy. Opposite to these three are virtue, continence, and superhuman virtue. In books viii and ix of his masterpiece of moral philosophy, the nicomachean ethics, aristotle gives perhaps the most famous of all philosophical discussions of friendship. Book v 1 with regards to justice and injustice we must 1 consider what kind of actions they are concerned with, 2 what sort of mean justice is, and 3 between what extremes the just act is intermediate. In this video, professor thorsby discusses aristotles nicomachean ethics book viii. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by aristotle. The nicomachean ethics, aristotle the nicomachean ethics is the name normally given to aristotles bestknown work on ethics.
Aristotles nicomachean ethics, based on lectures that he gave in athens in the fourth century bce, is one of the most significant works in moral philosophy, and has profoundly influenced the whole course of subsequent philosophical endeavour. The nicomachean ethics fits within the tradition of moral inquiry known as virtue ethics because of its emphasis on the importance of developing moral or character virtues in order to be good and. Our next business after this will be to discuss friendship. Embed embed for hosted blogs and item tags want more. Chapter viii cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. Friendship will occupy a significant role in nicomachean ethics. Ideas central to ethicsthat happiness is the end of human endeavor, that moral virtue is formed through action and habituation, and that good action requires prudencefound their most powerful proponent in the person medieval scholars simply called the philosopher.
Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. There are three types of goods those external, those of the soul and those of the body. The nicomachean ethics is a book written by aristotle named for nicomachus, which in keeping with the greek practice of boys being named after their grandfathers, was the name of both aristotles father and his son. Of all the things that aristotle spoke and wrote aboutand there are a lot, from politics to the arts and scienceshes best known by modern audiences for his answer to a basic human question. Sparknotes is here for you with everything you need to ace or teach. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, 2000 online research. Let us next begin a fresh part of the subject by laying down that the states of moral character to be avoided are of three kindsvice, unrestraint, and bestiality.
Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight. Book viii 1 after what we have said, a discussion of friendship would naturally follow, since it is a virtue or implies virtue, and is besides most necessary with a view to living. Though courage is concerned with feelings of confidence and of fear, it is not concerned with both alike, but more with the things that inspire fear. They and the standard ancient greek dictionary give it as moderation or temperance. Nicomachean ethics aristotle faculty of social sciences. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. The nicomachean ethics ne, or the ethics is almost certainly the product of aristotles developed intellect, consisting in a revision of around 330 of his earlier eudemian ethics though some scholars believe the eudemian to be later, and indeed better. But the nicomachean ethics only discusses the sense of shame at that point, and not righteous indignation which is however discussed in the eudemian ethics book viii. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly. The nicomachean ethics aristotle 384 bce 322 bce, translated by thomas taylor 1758 1835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his lectures at the lyceum which were either edited by or dedicated to aristotles son, nicomachus. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle junisoni december 5, 2012 8. Accordingly, we are unsure if the book was dedicated to or inspired by either aristotles father or son, or. This is a video lecture from phi 251, history of ancient philosophy. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship.