October 7

Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Plenary – Chapel

Aristotle on the Human Good

In this class we begin our study of Aristotle, one of the most wide-ranging thinkers of all time and by some measures the most influential philosopher in the Western tradition. After noting the historical background against which Aristotle developed his views, we will explore how his disagreement with Plato on issues of metaphysics influences his conception of happiness (eudaimonia) as the final end for human beings. Key to this notion of our final end is the idea that human beings have a specific “function” or “work” (ergon). We will examine how Aristotle derives his theory of the good life and the idea that virtue (aretē) is crucial to living a good life from his understanding of this human function.

  • Be able to situate Aristotle in his time and place
  • Understand how Aristotle’s views in metaphysics influence his views in ethics
  • Understand Aristotle’s derivation of the human good (i.e., happiness, eudaimonia) from his views on the human function
  • Form a preliminary sense of the role that virtue or excellence (aretē) plays in Aristotle’s approach to the good life
  • Develop further practice in finding the key claims and arguments in ancient texts

Before Class

  • Begin by watching the short video above
  • Next, please do the reading ⟹

After Class

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