Library Reference: N/A

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0534584306/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233793391&sr=8-1

Quote:  “since happiness is an activity of soul in accordance with perfect virtue, we must consider the nature of virtue.”

What I expect to learn:

    I expect to learn what happiness to Aristotle is.

Book Review:

    “Aristotle considered ethics to be a practical science, i.e., one mastered by doing rather than merely reasoning. Further, Aristotle believed that ethical knowledge is not certain knowledge (such as metaphysics or epistemology) but is general knowledge. He wrote several treatises on ethics, including most notably, Nichomachean Ethics, in which he outlines what is commonly called virtue ethics.

Aristotle taught that virtue has to do with the proper function of a thing. An eye is only a good eye in so much as it can see, because the proper function of an eye is sight. Aristotle reasoned that man must have a function uncommon to anything else, and that this function must be an activity of the soul. Aristotle identified the best activity of the soul as eudaimonia: a happiness or joy that pervades the good life. Aristotle taught that to achieve the good life, one must live a balanced life and avoid excess. This balance, he taught, varies among different persons and situations, and exists as a golden mean between two vices - one an excess and one a deficiency.” (Wikipedia. Retrieved Febrauary 8, 2009, http://en.wikipedia.org/Aristotle#Ethics)

    Happiness for Aristotle is about virtue. He chooses virtue because it can instil in our lives even if we are still young. Aristotle explain moral virtue as the happiness that everyone is looking for. One person can get happiness if he/she is being respected by his/her workmates in their office. Aristotle characterizes life as a beast because we are humans and we are capable in doing things that we wanted to do.

What I learned:

    I learned that happiness is virtue for Aristotle.

Review Question:

1.    What is happiness, according to Aristotle? How much is it related to virtue? How is it related to pleasure?

•    Happiness for Aristotle is about virtue. He chooses virtue because it can instil in our lives even if we are still young. Virtue for Aristotle is being taught from the moment we were born and that what makes him sees it to be the real happiness in life.

2.    How does Aristotle explain moral virtue? Give some examples.

•    Aristotle explain moral virtue as the happiness that everyone is looking for. One person can get happiness if he/she is being respected by his/her workmates in their office.

3.    Is it possible for everyone in our society to be happy, as Aristotle explains it? If not, who cannot be happy?

•    Yes, I think that everyone has their own meaning of happiness. Yes, everyone is unique and we can never say that what we have the same meaning and description of happiness.

Discussion Questions:

1.    Aristotle characterizes a life of pleasure as suitable for beasts. But what, if anything, is wrong with a life of pleasure?

•    Aristotle characterizes life as a beast because we are humans and we are capable in doing things that we wanted to do. Yes, we can commit false and bad actions and that is why Aristotle classified or named us humans as beast. Life can have wrong pleasures but we can change it for better or for worst.

2.    Aristotle claims that the philosopher will be happier that anyone else. Why is this? Do you agree or not?

•    Aristotle and the other philosopher will be happier because we humans are learning what they think is the right way to see pleasure and morality in life.

Integrative Questions:

1.    Why does Aristotle see happiness as a virtue?

2.    Is doing virtue to others is enough?

3.    When we know that were doing the right virtue?

4.    Will virtue answer the questions and problems here in the world?

5.    Why does Aristotle sees us as a beast not a human?