PS Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
Rosen, Jacob
Tue. 12-14, DOR 24, 1.406
What is the best we can aim to accomplish in life? What virtues must we cultivate in order to live well, and what vices must we avoid? To what extent are we in control of our actions, and why do we sometimes act otherwise than we know we should? What is pleasure, and why is it good? What is friendship, and why is it good? Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics proposes answers to these and related questions, set within an encompassing theory of the nature of human thought and action. This seminar will be devoted to a careful reading of Aristotle's text (in translation). We will seek to analyse and understand his main theses and arguments, and evaluate how convincing they are. Knowledge of Greek is welcome but not expected.