In this book, J.L. Stocks examines Aristotle's views on what is meant by the human good and how it can be achieved. This is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy or ethics. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, which equates the ultimate end of human life with happiness (eudaimonia), is thought by many readers to argue that this highest goal consists in the largest possible aggregate of intrinsic goods. Richard Kraut proposes instead that Aristotle identifies happiness with only one type of good: excellent activity of the rational soul. In defense of this reading, Kraut discusses Aristotle's attempt to organize all human goods into a single structure, so that each subordinate end is desirable for the sake of some higher goal. This book also emphasizes the philosopher's hierarchy of natural kinds, in which every type of creature achieves its good by imitating divine life. As Kraut argues, Aristotle's belief that thinking is the sole activity of the gods leads him to an intellectualist conception of the ethical virtues. Aristotle values these traits because, by subordinating emotion to reason, they enhance our ability to lead a life devoted to philosophy or politics.

Excerpt from Notes to Aristotle's Ethics IT is not my purpose in this edition to set forth a complete system of moral philosophy, or to compare and reconcile dif ferent views, but simply to assist the student of the Ethics in understanding Aristotle's meaning, and in following his arguments in the book before us. There is, indeed, scarcely a page of the work which might not have served as a peg on which to hang a dissertation on some point of the theory and practice of morals; but to do so would have interfered with, rather than furthered, my main aim: and I have therefore ah stained from general disquisitions, and have neither referred to ancient systems of philosophy, except where Aristotle's meaning would have been obscure without such reference nor to modern views, except where they directly illustrate, in more familiar language, and thus enable us more completely to apprehend what Aristotle meant to say. And this was the less necessary, as I believe what I have left undone will be performed by able hands. I wish rather to guide students, as far as I am able, to an understanding of what Aristotle says, before they proceed to compare him with, or judge him by, what has been advanced by those who went before or came after him, I am sure that he who carefully and patiently studies his ethical writings, (in which I would include the Rhetoric, ) will gain a knowledge of many of the secrets of man' s%ature, as it practically exists, and of men as they practically act, which will be found of great service, as well in the abstract study of the subject, as in practical dealing with, or guidance of, men. For Aristotle, looking with a curious and careful eye on the realities of human life, saw the elements of man's nature, the motives and springs of action. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

"Reason and Human Good in Aristotle opens up issues of interpretation which are as alive today as when it originally appeared. After almost two decades of extraordinary influence, this succinct book remains a 'must' for any serious bibliography of Aristotle's Ethics." -- Sarah Broadie, Princeton University

Excerpt from The Ethics of Aristotle It would be a grave injury to moral philosophy, if Aristotle were left out of consideration by moralists, or displaced in the studies of our Universities. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Aristotle's Ethics: Comprising His Practical Philosophy Aristotle's birth-place - His education at Atarneus - at Athens - His residence with Hermeias - Singular fortune of that Prince Aristotle's residence in Lesbos - in Macedon - Plan pursued in the education Of Alexander - Aristotle's residence in Athens - Employ ment there - Calumnies against him - His retreat to Chalcis, and death - His testament - Sayings - Extraordinary fate Of his Works - Published at Rome by Andronicus of Rhodes - Their number and magnitude. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

'Happiness, then, is the best, noblest, and most pleasant thing in the world.' In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle's guiding question is: what is the best thing for a human being? His answer is happiness, but he means, not something we feel, but rather a specially good kind of life. Happiness is made up of activities in which we use the best human capacities, both ones that contribute to our flourishing as members of a community, and ones that allow us to engage in god-like contemplation. Contemporary ethical writings on the role and importance of the moral virtues such as courage and justice have drawn inspiration from this work, which also contains important discussions on responsibility for actions, on the nature of practical reasoning, and on friendship and its role in the best life. This new edition retains and lightly revises David Ross's justly admired translation. It also includes a valuable introduction to this seminal work, and notes designed to elucidate Aristotle's arguments. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Excerpt from Four Phases of Morals: Socrates, Aristotle, Christianity, Utilitarianism Enables a man to be a sound judge of those important practical questions with which the science of Ethics is occupied. As by the arrangements of the season. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Annotation. Against the background of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Bradley provides a detailed differentiation between Aristotle's and Aquinas's view on moral principles and the end of man.