Aristotle stands among Socrates and Plato as the most influential of the Greek philosophers A prolific writer whose body of work influenced numerous disciplines Often referred to as the First scientist Disagreement with Plato Good through abstract contemplation Aristotle was critical of the Platonic approach that arrived at conceptualizations of The Every art and every inquiry and similar every action and pursuit is thought to aim at some good Part 1 If there is only one final end this will be what we are seeking and if there are more than one the most final of these will be what we are seeking Part 7 P 2 Aristotle believed this highest art or inquiry to be politics which is concerned with those things that are of the utmost importance to man Pleasure What the vulgar masses of humanity identify as happiness Aristotle refers to a life focused on pleasure as a life suitable to beasts rather than men Honor When refined individuals typically identify as happiness Aristotle considered honor to be too fragile to be the ultimate good at which we aim since honor must be bestowed by others and can too easily be withheld or taken away Virtue Another candidate for happiness that is a better pick than honor especially since many who seek honor do so to be assured of their goodness However a virtuous person can nevertheless lead an empty life or suffer from severe misfortunes Wealth Worst candidate for the happiness of the bunch money is only good for bringing about other things Aristotle points to rational activity as being what is unique to man
View Full Document
Unlocking...