Book X: Pleasure, happiness, and up-bringing Nicomachean Ethics

1 book x: pleasure, happiness, , up-bringing

1.1 book x. chapters 1–5: theory of pleasure
1.2 book x. chapters 6-8: happiness
1.3 book x. chapter 9: need education, habituation , laws

book x: pleasure, happiness, , up-bringing
book x. chapters 1–5: theory of pleasure

pleasure discussed throughout whole ethics, given final more focused , theoretical treatment in book x. aristotle starts questioning rule of thumb accepted in more approximate sections, whereby people think pleasure should avoided—if not because bad simply, because people tend towards pleasure seeking. argues people s actions show not believe. reviews arguments of previous philosophers, including first eudoxus , plato, argue pleasure pursued own sake if not good, or in other words things have in common.

in chapter 3 aristotle applies pleasure theory of motion (kinēsis) energeia explained in physics , metaphysics. in terms of approach, pleasure not movement or (kinēsis) because unlike movement of walking across specific room, or of building house, or part of house, has no end point when can completed. more seeing either happening in complete way or not happening. each moment of pleasurable consciousness perfect whole.

a sense perception sight in perfect activity (teleia energeia) when in best conditions , directed @ best objects. , when sense in such perfect activity, there pleasure, , thinking (dianoia) , contemplation (theōria) have associated pleasures. seeing, example whole, associated pleasure. pleasure not complete seeing or thinking, activity, healthy person can have bloom of well-being .

this raises question of why pleasure not last, seem fade if tired. aristotle proposes solution pleasure pursued because of desire live. life activity (energeia) made of many activities such music, thinking , contemplation, , pleasure brings above-mentioned completion each of these, bringing fulfillment , making life worthy of choice. aristotle says can dismiss question of whether live pleasure or choose pleasure sake of living, 2 activities seem incapable of being separated.

different activities in life, different sense perceptions, thinking, contemplating, bring different pleasures, , these pleasures make activities grow, example flute player gets better @ more pleasure it. these pleasures , associated activities impede each other flute player cannot participate in argument while playing. raises question of pleasures more pursued. pleasures more beautiful , more base or corrupt. aristotle ranks of them follows:

aristotle argues each type of animal has pleasures appropriate it, , in same way there can differences between people in pleasures suitable them. aristotle proposes beautiful person of serious moral stature appropriate standard, whatever things enjoy being things pleasant.

book x. chapters 6-8: happiness

turning happiness then, aim of whole ethics; according original definition of book activity or being-at-work chosen own sake morally serious , virtuous person. raises question of why play , bodily pleasures cannot happiness, because example tyrants choose such lifestyles. aristotle compares tyrants children, , argues play , relaxation best seen not ends in themselves, activities sake of more serious living. random person can enjoy bodily pleasures, including slave, , no 1 want slave.

aristotle says if perfect happiness activity in accordance highest virtue, highest virtue must virtue of highest part, , aristotle says must intellect (nous) or whatever else thought rule , lead nature, , have cognizance of noble , divine . highest activity, aristotle says, must contemplation or speculative thinking (energeia ... theōrētikē). sustainable, pleasant, self-sufficient activity; aimed @ own sake. (in contrast politics , warfare not involve doing things d rather not do, rather @ our leisure.) however, aristotle says aim not strictly human, , achieve means live in accordance not our mortal thoughts immortal , divine within humans. according aristotle, contemplation type of happy activity not ridiculous imagine gods having. intellect indeed each person s true self, , type of happiness happiness suited humans, both happiness (eudaimonia) , intellect (nous) being things other animals not have. aristotle claims compared other virtues, contemplation requires least in terms of possessions , allows self-reliance, though true that, being man , living in society of others, chooses engage in virtuous action, , need external goods carry on life human being .

book x. chapter 9: need education, habituation , laws

young spartans exercising edgar degas (1834-1917). aristotle approved of how spartan law focused upon up-bringing.

finally, aristotle repeats discussion of ethics has not reached aim if has no effect in practice. theories not enough. however, practice of virtue requires education , habituation age in community. young people otherwise not ever experience highest forms of pleasure , distracted easiest ones. while parents attempt this, critical there laws in community. concerning need laws , education aristotle says there has been problem, seeking address: unlike in case of medical science, theoreticians of happiness , teachers of virtue such sophists never have practical experience themselves, whereas parents , lawmakers have never theorized , developed scientific approach analyzing best laws are. furthermore, few lawmakers, perhaps spartans, have made education focus of law making, should. education needs more medicine, both practice , theory, , requires new approach studying politics. such study should, says, in communities laws not , parents need try create right habits in young people without right lawmakers.

aristotle closes nicomachean ethics therefore announcing programme of study in politics, including collecting of studies of different constitutions, , results of programme assumed contained in work exists today , known politics.