PHL * K101 Chapter 1: PHL 101_ Intro to Philosophy - Argument
Document Summary
The life of pleasure (hedonism) is not the best life. This sort of life is "slavish" and could describe the life of a lower animal. A life of notoriety (fame of honor) is not the best life. This depends on the recognition of others (is not self-sufficient, and is to subject to whim) A life of wealth (money-making) is not the best life. Wealth is not an ultimate end; it is valued only for the sake of other things (for its usefulness) The mean is relative to the person and his/her circumstances. The mean is decided by practical wisdom. Note: this doesn"t mean the: "middle point" Aristotle distinguishes a "natural" mode of acquisition from the acquisition of wealth (an. The natural art is an important part of household management (the typical household was the estate of a land-holding citizen) Goods have "use value" in this mode. The other mode is accumulation of goods for exchange in order to generate wealth.
