Aristotle On The Human End Essay - 1331 Words

Dinh Nguyen Second Essay Assignment; Oct. 28: Aristotle on the human end (telos) In book I of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle establishes the essence of a good life before he discusses the specifics of how one can train to live a good life later in his work. In the grand scheme of his introduction, Aristotle asserts: in order to live an excellent and complete life, i.e. the best life, every mean with reasons and virtues works towards happiness, or Eudaimonia, which is the end (telos) for the sake of itself of all actions (praxis). We will discuss how Aristotle logically arrives at that position and why this position matters. Aristotle first explains what the good ([x]), i.e. the ultimate goal of all ends, is by introducing what is not [x], but shares the characteristics with [x], or is partially [x]. According to Aristotle, â€Å"people reach their conception of the good from . . . from the lives ,† which consists of three types: the life of gratification, the life of political activity, and the life of study (NE I.5.1095b.15-20, 873-874). Each of these lives values a different end. For instance, the life of gratification of the many wants pleasure while the life of political activity of the cultivated people wants honor, which is external validation (NE I.5.1095b.17-30, 874). Thus, each of these ends cannot be the goods because they are not the ends for the sake of themselves. However, knowing why these ends do not constitute the good builds up the case for Aristotle toShow MoreRelatedAristotle And Heidegger s Theories About Ethics1525 Words   |  7 PagesAristotle and Heidegger have contrastin g theories about ethics. 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