20 min • 1 lectures
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics begins with the claim that every human action and choice aims at some perceived good. This course examines the identification of happiness, or eudaimonia, as the supreme good and the final end of all human endeavor. Using the function argument, the text posits that human flourishing results from rational activity in accordance with virtue. The curriculum explores the distinction between intellectual and moral virtues, emphasizing that character is developed through habituation rather than innate nature. By repeating virtuous acts, individuals establish a stable disposition to act rightly. The role of education, pleasure, and pain is analyzed to demonstrate how they shape emotional responses and moral character. The syllabus also covers the doctrine of the mean, where virtue is defined as a state of character lying between the extremes of excess and deficiency. Specific virtues, such as courage and temperance, illustrate the management of fear, confidence, and bodily desires. A significant portion of the material focuses on the requirements for moral responsibility, including an analysis of voluntary and involuntary actions. It further details the roles of deliberation, choice, and wish in the formation of a virtuous state. This systematic overview explains how rational activity and disciplined habits lead to a life of human excellence. The study provides a comprehensive look at the foundation of Western ethical thought.
