Aristotle's view of human nature as a basis for ethical theory
The thesis examines Aristotle's ethical theory with primary reference to the Nicomachean Ethics (EN). It argues that the EN is intended not to improve its audience ethically, but rather to give it the political tools to pass on its already good life. The EN does this by articulating the goodness of that life and thus allowing the audience to enter effectively into ethical discussions. These form part of the process of passing on the good life by way of legislation in the polls and by more informal methods in institutions such as the household. The thesis examines in particular the accounts of practical reason, pleasure and the 'ergon' argument in the EN, and seeks to understand them in this context. It argues that by allowing the audience to improve the transmission of its values over the generations and by allowing its menbers to articulate the value of so doing, it moves the audience's life closer to divine perfection.
Watt, Stephen John
Philosophy
Aristotle's view of human nature as a basis for ethical theory. The thesis examines Aristotle's ethical theory with primary reference to the Nicomachean Ethics (EN). It argues that the EN is intended not to improve its audience ethically, but rather to give it the political tools to pass on its already good life. The EN does this by articulating the goodness of that life and thus allowing the audience to enter effectively into ethical discussions. These form part of the process of passing on the good life by way of legislation in the polls and by more informal methods in institutions such as the household. The thesis examines in particular the accounts of practical reason, pleasure and the 'ergon' argument in the EN, and seeks to understand them in this context. It argues that by allowing the audience to improve the transmission of its values over the generations and by allowing its menbers to articulate the value of so doing, it moves the audience's life closer to divine perfection.
aristotle_view human_nature basis ethical_theory examines aristotle ethical_theory primary reference ethics argues intend improve audience ethically rather give political tool pass already good_life articulate goodness life thus_allow audience enter effectively ethical discussion form_part process pass good_life way legislation poll informal method institution household examines particular account_practical reason pleasure argument_seek context argues allow audience improve transmission value generation allow articulate value move audience life closer divine perfection