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. This translation of aristotle s the nicomachean ethics has been revised and supplemented with further appendices. Nicomachean ethics book eight summary and analysis. Aristotle s nicomachean ethics explained with book summaries in just a few minutes.
Earlier in both works, both the nicomachean ethics book iv, and the equivalent book in the eudemian ethics book iii, though different, ended by stating that the next step was to discuss justice. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly part 3. 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. Virtue, courage, the perfect balance of character traits, and the nature of reality are a. Aristotles nicomachean ethics revision, book eight. The internet classics archive nicomachean ethics by. Nicomachean ethics book viii by aristotle written 350 b. Aristotle was a macedonian who lived between 384 b. Cambridge texts in the history of philosophy includes index. Brief notes for lectures on aristotle s nicomachean ethics brief notes for lectures on aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Dec 10, 2018 the nicomachean ethics is aristotles bestknown work on ethics and, quite possibly, the most influential book on the subject ever written. Aristotle s nichomachean ethics begins with a simple premise, which is that everyone wants to be happy.
Note for nicomachean ethics book viii and ix what is friendship mutual loving. One of the dominant theories in the study of ethics is platos conception of the universal good, the doctrine of forms. First, we get a general characterization of the topic to be examined, namely, the good. Chapter viii confirmation of our view in popular ideas on happiness summary the first principle we have arrived at the definition of happiness given above must be tested logically, as a conclusion drawn from premises, and also in the light of generally held opinions on the nature of happiness, for something that. Friendship between good men of similar virtue or excellence who possess. Book viii summary and analysis aristotle begins a lengthy discussion of friendship that will take up the next two major sections of the work. The first is friendship for utility or pleasure, in which a friend is. It also includes new further reading and a chronology of the life of aristotle. Chapter viii cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. The best way to become happy takes up much of the rest of the work, as aristotle examines the nature of happiness what sort of actions lead to it. Brief notes for lectures on aristotles nicomachean ethics. After his death, the school endured for several centuries, drawing students mainly young athenian males from all over the mediterranean. From kant to john rawls, all philosophers have discussed the issue with aristotle on the good life and on happiness.
Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes. The nicomachean ethics full audiobook greatest audio books the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes said to be from his. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle it is the purpose of the study of ethics to discover the nature of the highest good and to find the appropriate means for its realisation. 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. Quite a few comments have been posted about nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle, part of the internet classics archive. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it means. Then there is a section concerning kalokagathia, the beautiful and good nobility of a gentleman, a virtue which implies all the moral virtues as well as good fortune.
This video is one component in a set of online courses covering aristotle s entire nicomachean ethics. He studied under plato in his youth, then built a career as a philosophical teacher himself. Chapter summary for aristotle s nicomachean ethics, book 9 summary. Aristotle lectured, wrote, and compiled a library here. The nicomachean ethics, aristotle s most important study of personal morality and the ends of human life, has for many centuries been a widelyread and influential book. Librivox recording of the nicomachean ethics, by aristotle. According to aristotle, every craft, line of inquiry, action, and decision seeks some end, or good, but these goods differ.
Nicomachean ethics aristotle mcmaster faculty of social. Although a flatterer can get insincere honor, it is hard to find insincere love. The nicomachean ethics full audiobook greatest audio books the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes. The character of aristotle in nicomachean ethics from. The nicomachean ethics penguin classics kindle edition by aristotle, beresford, adam. Books by aristotle author of the nicomachean ethics. A catalogue record for this book is available from the british library library of congress cataloguing in publication data aristotle. Chapter summary for aristotles nicomachean ethics, book 8 summary. He focuses particularly on incontinence, which is the opposite of selfrestraint. A brilliant thinker with wideranging interests, he wrote important works in physics, biology, poetry, politics, morality, metaphysics, and ethics. The likely speaker throughout the work, since nicomachean ethics is believed to have been derived from aristotle s lecture notes. Aristotle terence irwin building on the strengths of the first edition, the second edition of the irwin nicomachean ethics features a revised translation with little editorial intervention, expanded notes including a.
Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Jan 22, 20 the nicomachean ethics full audio book by aristotle 384 bce 322 bce translated by thomas taylor 17581835 the work consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to. Here are 5 of my favorite big ideas from the nicomachean ethics by aristotle. The nicomachean ethics book 8, chapter 1 1154b351155b15 summary. 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. Nicomachean ethics is the name of aristotle s best known work on ethics. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book six, with essays, notes and translation, by l. A summary of book viii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Aristotle ethics book ii summary and argument youtube. Nicomachean ethics is based on aristotle s lecture notes for the lyceum, the philosophy school he founded in athens around 334 b. The nicomachean ethics, frequently referred to as the ethics or aristotles ethics, is aristotles bestknown work on ethics and is one of the most influential works in western moral theory. Nicomachean ethics pdf summary aristotle 12min blog. I 1155a next would seem properly to follow a dissertation on friendship.
And aristotle pondered this question long and hard. Need help with book 8 in aristotles nicomachean ethics. Aristotle begins a lengthy discussion of friendship that will take up the next two major sections of the work. The work, which plays a preeminent role in defining aristotelian ethics, consists of ten books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to. The nicomachean ethics full audio book by aristotle 384 bce 322 bce translated by thomas taylor 17581835 the work consists of ten. Aristotle turns his discussion to conditions of character to be avoidedvice, incontinence, and bestiality. 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. The first is friendship for utility or pleasure, in which a friend is loved insofar as he or she is useful, not for who they are. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics, book six, with essays. It is a collection of treatises or lessons that deal with the most general philosophical principles of natural or moving things, both living and nonliving, rather than physical theories in the modern sense or investigations of the particular contents of the universe. He studied under plato at athens and taught there 367347. One of the original works of virtue ethics, this book on living a good life by aristotle has some great advice on being a good, thriving person, through moderating your excesses and deficiencies and striving to improve yourself.
The nicomachean ethics penguin classics aristotle, tredennick, hugh, thomson, j. Aristotle defines friendship as reciprocated goodwill, of which there are three types. These include 94 lecture videos, 45 downloadable handouts and worksheets, 10. Mar 30, 2004 a profound examination of the nature of happiness by one of the giants of ancient greek philosophy in the nicomachean ethics, aristotle argues that happiness consists in activity of the soul in accordance with virtue for example, with moral virtues, such as courage, generosity and justice, and intellectual virtues, such as knowledge, wisdom and insight. In book viii and ix of the nicomachean ethics, aristotle describes about the different types of friendship, love of friendship and the importance of friendship. A summary of book viii in aristotles nicomachean ethics. 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. In the nicomachean ethics, which he is said to have dedicated to his son nicomachus, aristotle s guiding question is what is the best thing for a human being. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. 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. Notes on aristotles nicomachean ethics books i, ii, and x book one. In fact, his many, many many theories about human happiness would fill about a bajillion scrolls worth of lecture notes and become the raw material for his nicomachean ethics. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Justice is concerned with what is lawful and fair, and injustice with whats lawless and unfair. Here, we go through a brief summary, and my argument on aristotle s ethics, book ii. Aristotles high regard for friendship can be seen in the way he guards against that type. It consists of ten books all of them originally written as separate scrolls and is based on aristotles notes from his lectures at the lyceum, the ancient university founded by the great. Nicomachean ethics book viii classical wisdom weekly. Aristotle, nicomachean ethics loeb classical library.
Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of nicomachean ethics and what it. Aristotle s writings have been extraordinarily influential since ancient times. In complete friendship, aristotle implies, equality will not even come up as a concern. Good is the end or goal of every craft, investigation, action or decision. The nicomachean ethics by aristotle is the most influential book of the moral philosophy. Chapters provide a general survey of aristotles topic. He said that there exists an absolute good which is the source of all goodness of whatever form or kind in the universe. Lets back up a minute and make sure we understand each other. Nicomachean ethics study guide contains a biography of aristotle, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
He begins by emphasizing how crucial it is for a happy life. It is named after his son, nicomachus, because it is believed to have been recorded by him. About aristotles ethics summary and analysis book i. The good is that at which all things aimall activities, choices, actions, investigations seekings, arts or crafts or skills or trades, etc. Book vi of the nicomachean ethics is identical to book v of the eudemian ethics. Notes on aristotles nicomachean ethics books i, ii, and x. Aristotle, great greek philosopher, researcher, reasoner, and writer, born at stagirus in 384 bce, was the son of nicomachus, a physician, and phaestis. Mar 30, 2000 aristotle s 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.
Aristotle, nicomachean ethics book i this text is attributed to aristotles son nicomachus, taking notes at his fathers lecturing. The nicomachean ethics penguin classics kindle edition. A summary of book vii in aristotle s nicomachean ethics. Book viii discusses the epistemological aspect of virtue, which as rackham notes is treated in book i section 9 of nicomachean ethics, and also discusses good luck.
Aristotle wants to discuss friendship as a virtue in this section. Chapter vi cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. On one end of the extreme is the excessively confident. Michael pakaluk presents the first systematic study in english of these books, showing how important aristotle streatment of friendship is to his ethics as a whole. He notes that friendship seems to be a naturally desirable thing among humans as well as among other animals of the same species.
Though written more than 2,000 years ago, it offers the modern reader many valuable insights into human needs and conduct. Summary there are three varieties of friendship, corresponding to the three objects of. Aristotle illustrates the mean through an example of the overly confident person versus the overly fearful person. Find a summary of this and each chapter of nicomachean ethics. Nicomachean ethics by aristotle the internet classics archive. The book defines the aristotelian ethics and consists of ten books which is based on his lectures at the lyceum and edited by his son nicomachus. Youre about to go for a severalthousandyearold rideand aristotle aint going to make it easy for you. In book v, aristotle turns to questions about justicenamely, what sort of actions justice and injustice are concerned with, and what extremes justice is the mean between. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in nicomachean ethics, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. In section 8 aristotle examines the currencies of friendship, which are love and honor. Nicomachean ethics 5 good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an allround education is a good judge in general.
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