PHL100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Nicomachean Ethics, Intellectual Virtue, Ultimate Human
Document Summary
The nicomachean ethics written by aristotle is a guide to achieving eudemonia, a state of flourishing. Aristotle outlines the necessary activities and qualities one must have to attain the best kind of life and achieve happiness. He argues that a successful person must possess a virtuous soul that affiliates with reason. Aristotle"s main conception of happiness and state his definition of virtue. I will then give my own analysis of aristotle"s notion of moral virtue and discuss why his argument is plausible. Finally i will examine the potential objections one could make to contradict my position and then demonstrate why these arguments are fallacious. Aristotle starts his inquiry by examining the human good. He finds that the best thing we can possibly attain by action is happiness. Aristotle infers that happiness is independent because it is the highest possible good that can be attained and it is self- sufficient; it lacks nothing.
