PHIL 1120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Nicomachean Ethics
Document Summary
Is this an ideal, or something achievable by regular people: ex. (religious excellence) From book one, we know that reason (or rational activity) will play a central role. And we know that aristotelian character will be happy in the sense of flourishing in life. And we know the person will be virtuous. Virtue of thought (teaching) v. virtue of character (habit) Aristotle says we are not born virtuous. Deliberation arrives at conclusions about what agrees with the right desire (contrast = truth and falsity) Habit repetition of the right actions: ch. So there is a relationship between action and character: friend as second self. Actions with worth require three things (ch 4. Quote in the first : have knowledge, choose acts (for own sakes, actions must proceed from a firm and interchangeable character) It is the way things are done, not that they are done. Choosing the act for its own sake: cause of an action = choice.
