POLS 2900 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Habituation
25 Jun 2018
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Aristotle – The Ethics
BOOK 1
The human good
Telling young men how to live their life
Believes there is something worthwhile in other peoples opinions or else they wouldn’t exist
Nature or content of the human good
Need to know what is good for us in order to live well
How to achieve the human good
What makes a thing good
Good of anything is what preforms its characteristic function well
(Plato has same philosophy)
Each good is produced for another good – some goods exist for the sake of others – others are higher
goods – “more inclusive”
If we came up with an end that completes all others – it would be the highest level of human good
Aristotle – politics and the human good are interconnected – the polis is significant – the people turn to
the polis
In order to ensure a positive outcome, the rulers of the city need to order the affairs of the polis to
produce the most ethical outcome – highest good
Aristotle believes that young people are not suited for the study of poli sci because lack of experience
What is the overarching good – aim of polisci
Aristotle – happiness
Disagreement over the nature of happiness
WELL BEING – state of being – condition of human flourishing
Also believes in the aesthetics & physical appearance
“Defective appearance” also affects happiness and well being
Plato’s doctrine of the forms
Perfect idea of the good accessed through philosophic contemplation
Plato confuses analytical categories – substance and its quality
If 2 things are good – they are good in the same way – reflect the universal good
Good can have different meanings when applied to different things
Aristotle believes there are different goods.
Plato – singular good
Aristotle – dynamic good
Experience of good things in the world shows us that they are diverse
Good can tell you the purpose
Inquiry into subjective choices
The fact that humans have a rational capacity itself does not make them special or good
To be human – rational human activity
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Telling young men how to live their life. Believes there is something worthwhile in other peoples opinions or else they wouldn"t exist. Need to know what is good for us in order to live well. Good of anything is what preforms its characteristic function well (plato has same philosophy) Each good is produced for another good some goods exist for the sake of others others are higher goods more inclusive . If we came up with an end that completes all others it would be the highest level of human good. Aristotle politics and the human good are interconnected the polis is signi cant the people turn to the polis. In order to ensure a positive outcome, the rulers of the city need to order the affairs of the polis to produce the most ethical outcome highest good. Aristotle believes that young people are not suited for the study of poli sci because lack of experience.
