Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Book 1 Summary

However aristotle thinks socrates s view is incomplete.

Aristotle nicomachean ethics book 1 summary. Aristotle explains that since the good appears to be something different in medicine generalship and so on then the highest good must be that for the sake of which the other things are done and this good must be something complete. Aristotle starts with the claim that happiness is dependent on virtue. Aristotle begins the work by positing that there exists some ultimate good toward which in the final analysis all human actions ultimately aim.

Pleasure is a crucial topic in his examination of the virtuous life. Every human activity aims at some end that we consider good. Aristotle learned a lot from socrates through plato and he emphasizes virtue s central role in a happy life.

Those highest ends which we pursue for their own sake must be the supreme good. The best method is to fix a price in advance though some forms of benevolence cannot properly be repaid. 1 aristotle s nicomachean ethics.

Pleasure and pain last all our lives and enjoying and hating the right things is key to developing virtue of character. Nicomachean ethics is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of the good life for a human being. Supposing this to be our aim aristotle then proceeds in his nicomachean ethics to figure out how best to achieve this goal.

In friendships or exchanges where each person receives a different benefit it is important that both parties feel they are being justly treated. He describes virtue as a disposition rather than an activity. To do this it s necessary to identify the best good or end the thing people pursue for its own sake not for the sake of anything else.

See important quotations explained. Books i iii a very brief and selective summary book i chapter 1. The highest ends are ends in themselves while subordinate ends may only be means to higher ends.