2-1 ARG - Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Books VIII & IX PDF

Preview

Summary

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Books VIII & IX...

Description

Philosophical Ethics

Active Reading Guide Name: Discussion: 2/1

Date of Class

Philosopher, Text, Section: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Books VIII & IX I.

REMEMBER: Key Concepts (citation) & My Definitions State and define any concepts that strike you in the reading. If you find none, do not fill in anything here.

1. Friendship (1155a4): connection of being friends between two people 2. “Friendship of the Good” (1157a21): Relationship that is based off of a mutual respect and admiration for one another, and founded on longstanding trust and acknowledgement of each other’s virtues, with each party pushing the other to advance their virtue.

II.

UNDERSTAND: Close Reading (include text citations if necessary for your own reference later)

1. What are the three types of friendship Aristotle outlines in VIII.3? Why is the third the finest? The three types of friendships are those based on utility, those based on pleasure, and those based on ”goodness” or a mutual respect and admiration of each other’s virtues. The third of these is the best in Aristotle’s eyes because the other two lead to conflict, as there is an uneven balance, and each person is seeking something from the other, for their own gain. III.

INTERPRET: The Main Claim Though this section has many important ideas, determine what you consider the central insight of this reading.

The main claim of this section is that the best form of friendship (or more simply the relationship between two people) is one in which both parties are loving towards one another for a reason other than their own personal gain, and where they both respect and admire each other for who they are, rather than what they can gain from them. IV.

EVALUATE: Thinking It Through Pick THREE questions of your choice and answer those.

1. Aristotle claims that “the bad will be friends because of pleasure or usefulness […] whereas the good will be friends because of themselves” (1157b2-4). What does he mean, and do you agree? Aristotle means that a bad person will seek to use people’s friendship to reach some end or goal, while a good person will be a friend because of their own goodwill, and to give something rather than take, an idea with which I agree with. 2. Is friendship an emotional state or a decision (1157b29-1158a2)? Why?

Philosophical Ethics Aristotle argues that friendship is a decision, as emotional states change quickly and these friendships do not last, but when the parties decide on being good to one another, then the friendship is lasting. 3. In VIII.9 Aristotle claims that “it is a more terrible thing to cheat a comrade out of money than a fellow citizen, or to fail to help out a brother than a stranger” (1160a5-6). Do you agree with him, or do you think we have an equal responsibility to all people? Why/why not? I agree, mainly with the latter, but also with the former in some ways. The trust bond that is between comrades or brothers is something that gives and added layer to a relationship, versus the relationship between two strangers in a city. However, there still is a responsibility to help even a stranger, and moreso the responsibility to not harm anyone else intentionally, but I still agree with Aristotle because of the special relationship between brothers/comrades. 4. Aristotle claims that “equals will need to keep things equal, and strictly so, in terms of loving and everything else, while unequals will need to render what is proportionate to the superiority of one of the parties in each case” (1162b3-5). Do you agree that some people owe more or less to others because of superiority and inferiority in their relation? I don’t agree that people owe each other more or less because of their position in the relationship, but I do believe that this does exist in the real world. 5. Is it possible to have a reciprocal friendship in which one loves and is loved by the other for herself/himself without simultaneously loving oneself (1166b1-2)? I do not believe that one can love someone and be loved by someone without first loving oneself, as without self-love, there will never be a love that will be enough for that person. 6. In IX.6 Aristotle discusses how like-mindedness is a feature of friendship and notably that of a friendship between citizens. The current political climate in America seems to be one in which citizens are not like-minded and are unable to agree on political decisions. Do you think Aristotle has any insights to offer us on what it would take to have a stronger political union? Explain. Aristotle would say that people do not need to have the same political leaning to be like-minded, but rather they must have the same thought processes and a respect for each other’s own beliefs. This is the likemindedness that Aristotle speaks about and which would do good for a society divided as ours today. 7. Following Aristotle’s reasoning in IX.8, do you agree with his conclusion that “one should be a self-lover […] but in the way that the majority are, one should not” (1169b1-2)? Why/why not? I do believe that I agree, as Aristotle is saying that by acting virtuously, one is preforming self-love, and that by doing the right and fine thing, one is doing it not only for the benefit of others, but of also himself. 8. Following Aristotle’s reasoning in IX.9, do you agree with his conclusion that “the person who is to be happy will need friends possessed of excellence” (1170b18-19)? Why/why not? I do agree because one must surround himself with like minded people in order to further develop his own virtues, and the virtues of his friends. 9. Throughout Books VIII and IX, and especially in IX.12, Aristotle suggests that long-distance relationships are not likely to make for the best friendships. Do

Philosophical Ethics you agree that the greatest friendships require living together in order to be active together? I agree that to a certain extent proximity is an essential component of friendship, but I also believe that true affection to one another can surpass distance. V.

EVALUATE: My Own Understanding Use the following questions to help you determine your level of comprehension of the reading.

1. What do I not understand from this reading? Why don’t I understand? There was nothing in particular that I didn’t understand from the reading 2. What are some lingering questions I have about the reading?...