SAC 1. Aristotle in TGL Flashcards
What is the ultimate aim of every art, investigation, and pursuit?
Every art and pursuit aims at some good, which is the ultimate goal or “The Good” at which all things aim.
How are different arts and sciences related to the ultimate good?
Different arts and sciences have different ends. For example, medicine aims for health, shipbuilding for a vessel, strategy for victory, and domestic economy for wealth. Some arts are subordinate to others, with the master arts having more desirable ends.
What is the Supreme Good, and why is it important?
The Supreme Good is the ultimate end we aim for, which we will pursue for its own sake. Understanding this Good is vital for guiding our actions in life, much like a target helps archers aim properly.
Which science deals with the Supreme Good, and why?
The science of Politics is the most authoritative and master-craft science because it governs all other sciences and lays down laws for the state. The Good of man is the ultimate goal of political science.
How precise is the study of Politics, and what challenges does it face?
Political science is not as precise as other fields like mathematics, as it deals with moral concepts like justice and the Good, which involve uncertainty and differing opinions. A broad outline of truth is sufficient.
Who is best suited to study Political Science?
People with life experience and moral training are suited for studying Political Science. Young people, who lack such experience, are not fit for this study as it requires action, not just knowledge.
What is the aim of Political Science, and how is it related to happiness?
The aim of Political Science is to achieve the highest good, which is commonly identified as happiness. However, the understanding of happiness varies, and some believe in a deeper Good that is the cause of other goods.
What approach should be taken when studying Political Science?
We should start from what is known to us and build on that knowledge. A well-trained individual in moral habits already understands the first principles of politics and can easily acquire further understanding.
What are the common conceptions of the Good, and how do they differ?
Common conceptions of the Good include pleasure, honor, and virtue. The general populace associates the Good with pleasure, while refined individuals associate it with honor. However, honor is superficial and dependent on others, not truly the Good.
Why is virtue not the ultimate Good, and what limitations does it have?
Virtue is not the Supreme Good because it can exist without being practiced, and a virtuous person can still suffer misfortune, which does not lead to happiness.
How does the Life of Money-making relate to the Supreme Good?
The Life of Money-making, which focuses on wealth, is not the Supreme Good because wealth is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
What is the definition of the Good across different pursuits or arts?
The Good in each pursuit is that for the sake of which everything else is done. Each art or science has its own specific Good, such as health in medicine, victory in strategy, or a house in architecture.
What distinguishes final ends from other ends in human action?
A final end is something pursued for its own sake and not as a means to another end. The Supreme Good is a final end, chosen for its own sake and not for the sake of anything else.
What makes happiness the most final and self-sufficient Good?
Happiness is considered absolutely final because it is always chosen for its own sake and never as a means to something else. It is also self-sufficient, as it is complete in itself and does not require anything else to make life desirable.
How does happiness compare to other goods, such as honor, pleasure, or intelligence?
Happiness is superior because it is never chosen for the sake of other goods, unlike honor, pleasure, and intelligence, which are pursued both for their own sake and as a means to happiness.
Why is happiness considered the End at which all actions aim?
Happiness is the ultimate end because it is self-sufficient, and nothing else is more final or desirable than it. All other pursuits are aimed at achieving happiness in some way.
Why is it necessary to understand man’s function when defining happiness?
To define happiness, we must first understand what constitutes the good of man. Just as craftsmen like carpenters have specific functions, man as a whole must have a unique function to fulfill.
Does man have a unique function?
Yes, man has a unique function. Unlike other creatures, his function is not merely survival or sentient life but involves the rational and practical life of exercising his rational faculties.
What is the function of man according to this text?
The function of man is the active exercise of the soul’s faculties in alignment with rational principles, particularly focusing on reason and virtue.
What distinguishes the function of a good man from a regular man?
The function of a good man is the same as that of any man, but performed with excellence or virtue. A good man performs his rational activities well, in accordance with the best of human virtues.
How does the idea of happiness relate to a complete lifetime?
Happiness is a long-term achievement, not something that can be gained in a single moment or day. A truly happy life requires a complete lifetime, just as one swallow does not signify spring.
What is stated about the theory of conduct in relation to its precision?
The theory of conduct is bound to be an outline, not an exact system, as matters of conduct are not fixed or invariable, similar to matters of health.
Why is exact precision not possible in dealing with particular cases of conduct?
Because conduct does not come under any science or professional tradition. The agents themselves must consider what is suited to the circumstances on each occasion, just as with the art of medicine or navigation.
How are moral qualities related to excess and deficiency?
Moral qualities are destroyed by both excess and deficiency. For example, strength and health are harmed by too much or too little exercise, food, or drink, and similarly, virtues like temperance and courage are destroyed by extremes.
How does excess or deficiency affect virtues like temperance and courage?
Excess leads to the destruction of virtues:
A cowardly person runs away from everything in fear.
A rash person faces everything without fear.
A profligate indulges in every pleasure.
An insensible person avoids all pleasure.
How can virtues like temperance and courage be preserved?
They are preserved by maintaining the mean, avoiding both excess and deficiency.
How are virtues generated, fostered, and exercised?
Virtues are both generated and exercised through the same actions. Just as bodily strength is generated by appropriate exertion and nourishment, it is also the strong person who can endure the most exertion and consume more nourishment.
What is the argument about whether friends are necessary for happiness?
Some argue that the supremely happy are self-sufficient and do not need friends because they already possess all the good things in life. Friends are seen as necessary for supplying things that one cannot procure for themselves.
What is the counterargument to the idea that the supremely happy don’t need friends?
It seems strange to deny that the happy person needs friends when we consider friends to be one of the greatest external goods. Additionally, the good man, being virtuous, finds it nobler to benefit others, especially friends, which requires having friends.
Are friends more needed in prosperity or adversity?
it is argued that both the unfortunate and the prosperous need friends. The unfortunate need kindness, while the prosperous need someone to whom they can show kindness.
Why would it be strange to represent the supremely happy man as a recluse?
It would be strange because humans are social beings, naturally designed to live with others. Even if one has all good things, it is better to share those things with friends rather than enjoy them alone.
What does the text suggest about the necessity of friends for the happy person?
The happy person, having everything that is naturally good, still requires friends because it is preferable to associate with good people rather than strangers or chance companions.
