Aristotle's discovery of the human : piety and politics in the Nicomachean ethics / Mary P. Nichols.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nichols, Mary P., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Aristotle. Nicomachean ethics.

Aristotle.

Religion and politics.

Virtue.

Political science--Philosophy.

Political science.

Physical Description:

x, 344 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Notre Dame, Indiana : University of Notre Dame Press, [2023]

Summary:

"In Aristotle's Discovery of the Human, noted political theorist Mary P. Nichols explores the ways in which Aristotle brings the gods and the divine into his "philosophizing about human affairs" in his Nicomachean Ethics. Her analysis shows that, for Aristotle, both piety and politics are central to a flourishing human life. Aristotle argues that piety provides us not only an awareness of our kinship to the divine, and hence elevates human life, but also an awareness of a divinity that we cannot entirely assimilate or fathom. Piety therefore supports a politics that strives for excellence at the same time that it checks excess through a recognition of human limitation. Proceeding through each of the ten books of the Ethics, Nichols shows that this prequel to Aristotle's Politics is as theoretical as it is practical. Its goal of improving political life and educating citizens and statesmen is inseparable from its pursuit of the truth about human beings and their relation to the divine. In the final chapter, which turns to contemporary political debate, Nichols's suggestion of the possibility of supplementing and deepening liberalism on Aristotelian grounds is supported by the account of human nature, virtue, friendship, and community developed throughout her study of the Ethics"-- Back cover.

Contents:

Our unfinished humanity : a divine gift (Book 1)

The ethical virtues : nature, character, and choice (Books 2-3)

The virtues of living together : distinguishing the human from the divine (Book 4)

A shrine to the graces : justice and tragedy (Book 5)

Intellectual virtues : prudence, wisdom, and philosophy

(Book 6)

Human strength versus divine perfection : deepening our view of virtue (Book 7)

Friendship : family, political community, and philosophy (Books 8-9)

Divine thoughts and political reform : summing up and moving forward (Book 10)

Afterthoughts : Aristotelian piety for a liberal politics.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 327-332) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Nichols, Mary P. Aristotle's discovery of the human

ISBN:

9780268205454

0268205450

OCLC:

1361679426