Aristotle and the Book of Nicomanchean Ethics - 2051 Words

Aristotle and the Book of Nicomanchean Ethics In Book I of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that the ultimate human goal or end is happiness. Aristotle then describes steps required for humans to obtain the ultimate happiness. He also states that activity is an important requirement of happiness. A virtuous person takes pleasure in doing virtuous things. He then goes on to say that living a life of virtue is something pleasurable in itself. The role of virtue to Aristotle is an important one, with out it, it seems humans cannot obtain happiness. Virtue is the connection one has to happiness and how they should obtain it. My goal in this paper is to connect Aristotle’s book of Nicomachean Ethics to my own reasoning of self-ethics. I†¦show more content†¦Aristotle believes happiness is the purpose of life because, a human, when giving reasons and opinions to why they make the decisions between numerous choices, people will conclude to the same ideas, which is whatever choice allows that person to achieve the mo st happiness. Aristotle rightfully concludes that, the support of our decision making is that people will base their moral decisions off the amount of happiness they receive compared to the trouble of performing the action. The center of our decision-making must be a state of character within us, in this case, that weights our delights against our burdens. Aristotle also states finding balance is key, but hard to obtain. Anyone can become angered, gives or spends money, with the right motives, at the right time, the right person, but it is not for everyone, and he says it is not easy. He says goodness is altruistically hard to find. Thus, according to Aristotle, â€Å"It is difficult to live the virtuous life primarily because it is often difficult to find the proper mean between the extremes.† Voluntary and Involuntary actions. As I reference Book III of Nichomachean Ethics, the terms ‘voluntary’ and ‘involuntary’ are used with the indication to the moment of action. So, a voluntary action is one about which we have power. Such as, what to eat throughout the day and night, taking a shower or brushing our teeth or even life altering decisionsShow MoreRelated Aristotle and the Book of Nicomanchean Ethics Essay1496 Words   |  6 PagesAristotle and the Book of Nicomanchean Ethics In Book I of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that the ultimate human goal or end is happiness. Aristotle describes the steps required for humans to obtain happiness. Aristotle states that activity is an important requirement of happiness. He states that a happy person cannot be inactive. He then goes on to say that living a life of virtue is something pleasurable in itself. The virtuous person takes pleasure in doing virtuous things. The roleRead MoreAristotle And Marcus Tullius Cicero s Influence On Classical Jurisprudence2574 Words   |  11 PagesMatthew Martinez Professor Kevin Govern Classical Jurisprudence 22 March 2015 Aristotle and Marcus Tullius Cicero’s Influence on Classical Jurisprudence Aristotle was a towering figure in ancient Greek philosophy, having made contributions to logic, metaphysics, mathematics, physics, biology, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance, and theater . Marcus Tullius Cicero, prominent Roman statesmen and consul, preeminent orator, lawyer, and master of Latin prose, significant moral and political