Aristotle

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Aristotle's understanding of virtue and the human function as a potentially flawed work that nonetheless can have a real practical impact on the individual life. The paper contends that, although Aristotle's argument that all humans share a distinct function limited to reason is questionable, it nonetheless provides a useful guideline for living one's life.

From the Paper:

"Aristotle notes in Nicomanchean Ethics, "to call happiness the highest good is perhaps a little trite, and a clearer account of what is, is still required. Perhaps this is best done by first ascertaining the proper function of man." For Aristotle, human flourishing is something that we want for its own sake, and that explains our desire to seek health, money, and recognition, among numerous other things. This human flourishing (which he terms as eudaimonia) is something more than simple happiness (although it often results in happiness), and comes about by living well or doing well in specific activities (praxeis). Eudaimonia is composed of a number of constituents, including the desiderata of wealth, a respected station in life, and good health (Cooper)."

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• Book Review # 4141 : "Aristotle's "Nichomachean Ethics"

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