The Assignment For The Final Paper In The Nicomache
The Assignmentassignment For The Final Paperin The Nicomachean Ethics
The Assignmentassignment For The Final Paperin The Nicomachean Ethics The Assignmentassignment For The Final Paperin The Nicomachean Ethics The Assignment Assignment for The Final Paper In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle concludes that eudemonia, or human flourishing (translated as “happiness” in our text) is the highest good. Describe Aristotle’s conception of eudemonia (“happiness”). Next, describe Aristotle’s conceptions of the human function, the rational part of the soul, habituation, character, and virtue. Explain the role each of these conceptions plays in the achievement of eudemonia according to Aristotle. Support your descriptions and explanations by citing the text. Format Your paper should be approximately words in length (approximately 5-6 pages, double-spaced, using 12-point font). Please use double-spaced line spacing, and 12-point Times New Roman font (if possible). Make sure to put your name, the course number, and the assignment (i.e. “Final Paper”) at the top of your paper. Your paper should consist of an introduction, body, and conclusion. In your introduction, please indicate the central theme of your paper in a thesis statement, and briefly describe how the rest of your paper will proceed. Your introduction shouldn’t be longer than a paragraph or two. In the body of your paper, please make sure to stay on topic and follow the assignment. Your conclusion should wrap the paper up by either stating your general conclusion, or briefly restating your main points. Throughout your paper, please write clearly and straightforwardly, and stay on topic. Finally, please note that the purpose of this paper is not to argue for one viewpoint or another, but to get clear on what Aristotle’s view is. This should be a primarily descriptive, rather than primarily argumentative, paper. Finally, please make sure to work closely with the text, citing it to support your claims about Aristotle’s views. Citations When citing our text, please indicate the page number you’re citing from. You may either use parenthetical citations in your text, or cite using footnotes. You may use any formal citation style you prefer (Chicago style, Turabian style, MLA, APA, etc.) as long as you are consistent and use the same style throughout your paper. If you are unfamiliar with how to cite our text, the following website should be helpful: For this assignment, please do not cite other sources in addition to our text. The point of this assignment is for you to work closely with Nicomachean Ethics.
Paper For Above instruction
Aristotle’s conception of eudaimonia, often translated as “happiness” or “human flourishing,” constitutes the central aim of his ethical philosophy in the Nicomachean Ethics. According to Aristotle, eudaimonia is achieved through living a life of virtue in accordance with reason, which aligns with our nature as rational beings. Unlike fleeting pleasures or material possessions, eudaimonia represents a complete and self-sufficient state of well-being that encompasses the fullness of human activity over a lifetime (Aristotle, p. 1090a25-1091a10).
Central to Aristotle’s theory is the notion of the human function or ‘ergon’. He posits that the unique function of human beings is rational activity. The human function involves the activity of the soul in accordance with reason, and the excellence or virtue in this activity leads to eudaimonia. This concept emphasizes that flourishing is not simply about pleasure but about doing one’s work well, fulfilling the purpose that is unique to human nature (Aristotle, p. 1098a15-1098b20).
Furthermore, Aristotle distinguishes between the rational and irrational parts of the soul. The rational part guides deliberate decision-making and moral reasoning, while the irrational part encompasses desires and instincts. Virtue ethics focuses predominantly on cultivating the rational part’s capacities—intellectual virtues like wisdom and practical judgment, as well as moral virtues such as courage, temperance, and justice. These virtues are developed through habituation—a process of repeated actions that shape one’s character (Aristotle, p. 1103a10-1103b25).
Habituation plays a crucial role in achieving eudaimonia because it molds character by internalizing virtuous actions into one’s disposition. For example, practicing courage in small situations gradually develops true bravery, which contributes to a virtuous character. Aristotle underscores that virtues are neither innate nor purely learned but are cultivated through consistent practice, aligning desires with rational judgment (Aristotle, p. 1104a20-1105a10).
Character, in Aristotle’s view, is the stable disposition to act in accordance with virtue, and it is closely linked to habituation. A virtuous character results from a lifetime of virtuous actions, and it ensures that one’s behavior is guided by reason rather than impulsiveness or vice. The development of character is essential for attaining eudaimonia because it sustains virtuous activity over the long term (Aristotle, p. 1106b15-1107a20).
Virtue, in Aristotle’s framework, is a state of character that lies between deficiency and excess—a doctrine of the mean. For example, courage is the mean between recklessness and cowardice. Virtues enable individuals to act appropriately in various circumstances, balancing desires and rational judgment. Achieving virtue therefore directly contributes to living a flourishing life, as it aligns one’s actions with rational principles (Aristotle, p. 1107b20-1108a5).
In conclusion, for Aristotle, eudaimonia is the highest good because it encompasses a life of virtuous activity aligned with reason. The human function, the rational part of the soul, habituation, character, and virtue all play integral roles in the pursuit of happiness by ensuring that individuals fulfill their natural purpose. Virtue ethics emphasizes that flourishing depends on the cultivation of good character dispositions through habitual practice, guiding one toward a life of rational activity and ultimately, eudaimonia (Aristotle, p. 1090a25-1091a10). Understanding these interconnected concepts clarifies Aristotle’s perspective that well-being is achieved not through external gains but through the exercise of our rational capacities in virtue.
References
Aristotle. (1984). Nicomachean Ethics (J. A. K. Thomson, Trans.). Hackett Publishing Company.