Routledge philosophy guidebook to Aristotle on ethics / Gerald J. Hughes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hughes, Gerard J.

Series:

Routledge philosophy guidebooks

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Aristotle. Nicomachean ethics.

Aristotle.

Physical Description:

x, 238 pages ; 20 cm.

Other Title:

Aristotle on ethics

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2001.

Summary:

Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics is one of the key texts of European civilization. In it, a great philosopher surveys the moral virus of his contemporaries in a way that is at once sympathetic and critical.

Hughes explains the key elements in Aristotle's Ethics terminology and highlights the controversy regarding the interpretations of his writings. He carefully explores each section of the text, and presents a detailed account of the problems Aristotle was trying to address. Hughes also examines the role that Aristotle's ethics continue to play in contemporary moral philosophy by comparing and contrasting his views with those widely held today.

Contents:

1 Aristotle's life and work 1

An outline of his life and times 1

His works and philosophical background 4

2 Style, structure and aim of the Ethics 9

The Nicomachaean Ethics 9

Aristotle's aim in writing the Ethics 13

Aristotle's Preface (1): Why do we do anything at all? 14

Aristotle's Preface (2): Realistic expectations 16

Aristotle's Preface (3): Suitable students 17

3 The fulfilled life 21

The meanings of eudaimonia and arete 22

Fulfilled lives? 24

A central problem: 'Dominant' or 'Inclusive'? 27

Two further agreed characteristics of eudaimonia 31

Background: Aristotle's views on the human soul 33

The Function Argument 36

Theoria and being a good citizen 45

4 Moral virtues and moral training 53

The definition of moral virtue 54

Moral training 70

5 Practical wisdom 83

Overview of the issues 84

Practical wisdom and theoretical ability 87

Is practical wisdom like other practical skills? 88

Practical wisdom: about means or about ends? 94

Practical wisdom and moral virtue 106

The unity of the virtues 109

Is Aristotle's account defensible? 112

6 Responsibility 117

'Acting willingly': sorting out common opinions 118

Moral conclusions: the best index of character 129

Responsibility for one's character 133

Decisions and freedom 137

Additional note on 'wanting' 142

7 Moral failure 145

Why is moral failure problematic? 145

Aristotle's solution: one interpretation 148

A more detailed defence 154

8 Relationships with others 167

Aristotelian relationships 168

Is Aristotle an ethical egoist? 172

Flexibility, relationships and justice 179

9 Pleasure and the good life 183

The issues as they appeared to Aristotle 185

Aristotle's comments on the moral arguments 188

The argument from opposites 190

Aristotle's own view: arguments and problems 194

Are some pleasures not really pleasures? 199

Is the fulfilled life enjoyable? 205

10 Aristotle's moral world and ours 211

Culture: acceptance and criticism 211

Virtues and principles 218.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 225-227) and indexes.

ISBN:

0415221862

0415221870

OCLC:

45308772