PHILOSOPHY - History: Aristotle on the Purpose of Life [HD]

In this video, Monte Johnson (University of California, San Diego) explores an approach to the question “What is the purpose of life?” developed by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). Aristotle reasoned that just as artificial things (such as tools and workers) have characteristic capabilities with respect to which they are judged to be good or do well, so each kind of natural thing (including plants and humans) has characteristic capabilities with respect to which can be judged, objectively, to be good or do well. For plants and animals these mostly have to do with nutrition and reproduction, and in the case of animals, pleasure and pain. For humans, these vegetative and animal capabilities are necessary but not sufficient for our flourishing. Since reason and the use of language are the unique and highest capabilities of humans, the cultivation and exercise of intellectual friendships and partnerships, moral and political virtue, scientific knowledge and (above all) theoretical philosophy, was argued by Aristotle to be the ultimate purpose of human life.

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[Hermes_Agoraeus]

Thank you for plainly explaining to me why I find learning and thinking so fulfilling, and entry-level jobs so mentally excruciating.

[OldVids_]

Sometimes I think about "How the f**k does anything exist"

[Appleblade]

That was refreshing! (It's so rare to see philosophy lessons done right on the interwebs).

Nice job, Dr.

[Ayjettt]

When he pulled up the picture of the dude with his foot on the desk, that was literally the position I was in at that moment. Oh, the irony.

[ravienne]

This was actually super helpful... while it didn’t answer why were here, it did the best job at explaining the purpose of humans out of any source I’ve ever looked at. Thank you so much!

[pattmayne]

This is great. Thank you. I was afraid the purpose of life was going to be "work at the factory and do what your boss tells you and shut up and be poor!"

[francismausley]

Excellent service enriches all... "All men have been called into being for the betterment of the world. It behoveth every soul to arise and serve his brethren for the sake of God." – The Tabernacle of Unity, Baha'i Faith

[omotokumo]

I like the way you teach people and you give people good Example about history Thank you for everything you do for people who see you're video keep it's up is good

[stephaniekubke]

this was awesome! thank you for posting

[ManavSukhija]

Don’t spoil your life into Running behind anything ... Purpose of life ... is Life itself !! You don’t need to become someone ... you are already who you were supposed to be !!! 🙏🏻💐

[everythingiseverything]

In order to understand the meaning of life, we have strive to understand and be comfortable with the concept of our own death.

[benlg]

6:21


I am engaging my highest most god like capabilities in that exact position, excellent video!

[DennisZIyanChen]

This is honestly so amazing, Thank you!

[gabrielseth]

Philosophy is more a means to our "highest and most godlike capabilities", rather than an end in itself.  Philosophy is a means to consider possibilities, and explore the capacities and function of the human being, but the END within that process is revelation, and understanding.  We are in pursuit of absolute and unalterable Truth, which is the information In Formation, and only when we come to embody this truth so fully that the pursuit is no longer necessary, and our Being, through word and deed is indistinguishable from the creative force and organization behind all being, can we be said to have reached our "highest and most godlike capabilities."  Philosophy is one of many Vehicles on the road toward that level of understanding, but I don't think it is the destination.

[davidwhitcher]

How surprising that Aristotle thought that his favorite thing was the meaning of life. How unenlightening.

[nabilmostofa]

You explained it marvellously applaud to your explanation..

[philipstuckey]

While I like this system a lot, I would note that Aristotle is basically saying that his job is the most important, and I would like to point out that math and science are like philosophy in all the ways he states philosophy is important (they help our animal/plant states and are fine for their own sake) but have the added benefit of rigor

[shelleywinters]

Before the end I was thinking I was supposed to be a politician, scientist, mathematician in order to have reached my full capability, then he said philosophy is the end, I thought, oh good something I can actually do!

[falibhatti]

Great video to help humanity to find their direction, thanks for share.

[dglongx]

Love this approach to the most universal philosophical inquiry! Valid and true argument! Thanks