1. Eudaemonism The Morality of Self-Realization
Chapter 22
Eudaemonism
The Morality of Self-Realization

2. Morality and Human Nature
The root of this Greek way of thinking lies in its teleological perspective
What can humans do that no other creature or object in the universe can do?
Reflect, calculate, put off short-term enjoyment for long-term satisfaction, ask why
Weigh pros and cons, formulate explanations
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Morality and Rationality
For Aristotle, reason is aligned with morality in another sense:
Reason is a necessary ingredient in any moral action, in that an irrational person:
Even with the best of intentions, can do the wrong thing
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Morality and Rationality
Does it follow that the ideally generous person is one who gives:
Whatever money he or she has at the time to anyone who asks for it?
Aristotle: moral virtues, being temperate & courageous require reason in striking the:
Balance required by virtuous conduct
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Intellectual and Moral Virtues
For Aristotle, reason is a necessary ingredient in any moral virtue:
But it is also the key to what he calls the intellectual virtue of a life dedicated to:
Reasoning for its own sake
Things are means to ends, which in turn are means to other ends
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Happiness and Pleasure
We sometimes are not sure whether we are happy or not:
Though we can more easily tell whether we are feeling pleasure or pain
Aristotle is able to say that happiness is the goal of life, and that pleasure is not:
The most significant part of a happy life
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle (384–322 b.c.e.): Greek philosopher born in Stagira in Thrace
Aristotle’s father, Nicomachus, was a court physician to the King of Macedon
And sent Aristotle to Athens, where he became associated with Plato
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
And a member of the Academy for over twenty years
After Plato’s death, Aristotle accepted the position as tutor to Alexander:
Son of Philip II of Macedon.
Alexander is now better known to us as Alexander the Great.
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

9. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
Returning to Athens around 335, Aristotle founded his own school called the Lyceum:
Whose members carried on their philosophical discussion while walking:
Giving rise to the label “the peripatetics.” Courtesy of the Library of Congress
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
All knowledge and every pursuit aims at some good
To say that happiness is the chief good seems a platitude:
And a clearer account of what it is is still desired
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
Self-sufficiency
Virtue is a state of character concerned with choice
With regard to anger also there is an excess, a deficiency, and a mean
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.