Analysis Of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: Understanding The Good According To Aristotle

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Nicomachean Ethics: Understanding the good according to Aristotle In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he discusses the principles of virtue, choices and a desire for an end. In the 5th chapter of book 3, Aristotle gives a possible argument of someone who objects to his beliefs “But someone might argue as follows: ‘All Men seek what appears good to them, but they have no control over how things appear to them; the end appears different to different men” (1114b). Based on the objector’s generalization, he or she believes that all men strive to find the ultimate good, but they don't have the freedom or the wisdom to see things for what they truly are. People aim to act based on what is good to them, but what seems good to them is something …show more content…

Practical wisdom is changeable and involves desires, pleasures and pains, it is also the knowledge of the best action. “It follows that, in general a man with practical wisdom is he who has the ability to deliberate” (1140a28). Aristotle is arguing that practical wisdom generally instructs a person to live well and in service of what is good, because it is a truthful and rational characteristic. “But it is also clear that… no choice will be right without practical wisdom and virtue. For virtue determines the end, and practical wisdom makes us do what is conducive to the end” (1145a4). Acting out of practical wisdom allows a person to do just, noble and good things are what constitutes a good …show more content…

Once a desirable end has been considered the person then deliberates about the means necessary to make their goal possible and they end their deliberation with their choice. Once a person has successfully deliberated and chosen their method for acting they can execute it. Humans have the capacity to ask questions and investigate the object of their desires. They are in control of how things appear to them as well as the means to reaching the end. Humans can think beyond what they see, and change their beliefs when something is at odds with their

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