Aristotle's Ethics - Happiness, Pleasure, & Friendship (History of Philosophy)

Peter Adamson discusses Aristotle's ethics, focusing on the Nicomachean Ethics. Among other things, he discusses Aristotle's ideas about happiness, virtue, the function argument, weakness of will, as well as the role of pleasure and friendship in the good life.

00:00 Aristotle's Ethics
20:13 Pleasure & Friendship

#philosophy #aristotle #ethics

[MinimalRevolt]

Embrace yourself fully without being narcissist and egoist is remarkably crucial. Live moderately and to the fullest for each moment in order to achieve "eudaimonia". Respect the concept philosophical contemplation from Aristotle❤❤

[sykosomatik]

In regards to Aristotle's virtuous man vs Kant's virtuous man, I think there is a point that many overlook. Just because a person has habituated themself to be virtuous and thus finds it against their nature to be unvirtuous does not mean that being virtuous is easy. More often than not, the virtuous action is the more difficult action, which is why most people do not act virtuous. So even if a person finds it natural to behave virtuously through habit, it does not mean it is easy. Also, the reason why Aristotle stresses that it is important for a virtuous person to find pleasure in virtue is because being virtuous is such a difficult task. It takes a lot of contemplation and reflection to be able to fine tune your ability to know how to act the right way to the right people for the right reasons, etc. Only someone who finds pleasure in growing their skill of virtue would be likely to find it worthwhile to engage in the work necessary to do so. Someone who does not find pleasure in being virtuous is not likely to pursue the life of virtue to begin with. Or, if they do pursue it, the lack of any immediate reward (even any guarantee of a reward) plus the hardship that is entailed will likely cause such a person to abandon their pursuit eventually.

Also, I would add that according to Aristotle, a person who pursues virtuous act through duty as Kant prescribes would eventually become a person to whom virtuous act will be second nature, as long as they stick with it. And such a person would most likely learn to enjoy virtue and start to pursue virtue for the sake of virtue rather than duty. For one becomes virtuous through the habitual act of virtue. And really, anyone who sticks rigorously to a virtuous life for years on end for the sake of "duty" is kidding themself. That person is living such a life because they want to. And they want to because they value it (aka they like it).

For Kant being virtuous was sort of a matter of formulas. So, input a situation into a formula and then you get your virtuous action and you can carry it out as a matter of duty. But for Aristotle, being virtuous is way more nuanced and there is no formula. The only way to know the virtuous action is to use your reasoning ability to try and figure it out. And that is not easy to do, but it is a skill that can be mastered like any other skill.

The last thing I'll add is that Kant seemed to be more focused on singular acts of virtue itself. Carrying out a singular act of virtue out of a sense of duty is fine enough and not really that demanding. But to Aristotle, the way of virtue is a lifestyle. Singular acts of virtue do not make a virtuous person. It is a life of virtue that makes a virtuous person.

[Enterprise-Architect]

I instantly fall in love of Aristotle ethics after hearing his thoughts on happiness... Thanks for this video...

[arthurrobinson]

Thank you so much for this discussion on Aristotie's Ethics. I'm new to Philosophy, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your discussion, this is a talk I'll listen to more than once. Question: Do you have any recommendations for books on Philosophy for a layman and an 81-year-old artist who is disabled after a stork. Philosophy keeps my mind active. Again thank you for such a stimulating talk I'll be following your discussions.

[donaldist]

you forgot the Rhetoric - as important as EN. Alexander the Great did the opposite of what Aristotle taught: he was not brave but rash; he had no rational telos - he justed wanted to conquer.

[darrellee]

This video has been up a year and only has 7 comments? Sad.

[JaferRealAccount]

Hi Peter Good afternoon from UK. You are critical of Aristotles and calling Aristotles as "selfish" being selfish by Principle is not a bad thing. You cannot see the needs of others more than your own needs all the time. Aristotles is right He has admirers from almost all walks of life

[mikebreeden]

Just as I wish Freud and Jung included instinct into their thinking, so I wish Aristotle could have. It would have helped.

[bryanutility]

Wrong people winning the lottery. It would make me way more happy not being in debt & not having to work away from my kids invest in multi country properties & businesses.

[darrellee]

Jordan Peterson points out that what we really want is to be making progress towards a valued goal. Brandon Sanderson embodies this in one of the ideals of the Knights Radian, “Journey before destination.”

[inartwetrust]

Fatih sultan mehmet in Georgios Trapezuntios dan aldigi dersler Aristoteles ve plato