"Nicomachean Ethics"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Aristotle's particular concepts of goodness, virtuousness and happiness, as explored within Book I of Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics". The paper describes much of Aristotle's philosophy as a refutation of the single Platonic ideal of goodness and virtue, due to Aristotle's more empirical, scientific and experimental (i.e., teleological) approach to philosophy.

From the Paper:

" To do so at any time, Aristotle further suggests in his Nicomachean Ethics, would be to compromise one's own state of rationality and virtuousness, thereby behaving contrary to the end nature of humans. However, not to do so in trying circumstances of one's own required discipline; self-control; and practice, which perhaps explain why Aristotle sees goodness and virtue, and rationality, as states to be achieved rather than merely as human qualities that some have and others do not. This, too, moreover, represents a test of rationality in an d of itself, Aristotle suggests, since a rational person has control over his or her impulses and desires."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. W.D. Ross (trans.). The Internet Classics Archive. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from: < http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/ nicomachaen.html>.

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