10/1 Aristotle Introduction 577-579; 584-586, Nicomachean Ethics I, 764-772; Lear photocopy

Themes: The highest good, happiness, the function argument

1. In the beginning of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle is attempting to discover the highest good and does so by investigating the relationship of means to ends, the difference between complete and incomplete ends, and the various things that are commonly thought to be good. According to Aristotle, what is the highest good, the end that is unconditionally complete? And how does he come to this conclusion?

2. On what grounds does Aristotle argue that pleasure, honor, virtue, and wealth are not the highest good?

3. In Aristotle’s discussion of function, which of Socrates’ two criteria for function (Republic Book I) does he use, and to what conclusion does he come about the function of a human being?