This state of perfection must be one of pure actuality since it
can have no potential, being perfect; it must be non-natural since all natural
things have potential. Thus, it is not moving, yet moves other things to attempt
to achieve perfection; this thing is the final cause of the universe. Knowing,
now, that which moves all natural things towards the goods, we can begin the
analysis on Aristotle's ethical system. In investigating Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, it is important to remember that just like the Physics, it
is a teleological view, not on the natural world, but on human nature, the end (telos)
of which is the ?good.? Everything that humans do is aimed at some end; this end
is can either have intrinsic or extrinsic worth. This is to say that the acts of
humans can either be done for themselves (intrinsic) or can be done as a means
to something else (extrinsic). The underlying goal of all our action, Aristotle
calls the ?good?, but along with the ?good,? comes happiness. For Aristotle,
then, all human are just trying to be happy. The good life, then, is a life of
happiness; Aristotle says such a life can be achieved by excellence (arete) in
two areas of virtue: intellectual and moral. First, we will have to analyze
moral virtue in order to understand fully the notion of intellectual virtue.
More or less, for Aristotle, the life of moral virtue, not being an exact
science, is a life of moderation. This is a common theme with most all the
ancient philosophers and authors (especially the playwrights). It is practical
wisdom which is not ?a priori,? but rather it is a learned trade which varies
from situation to situation; it can not be taught, it must be learned from
experience. What, then, exactly is moral virtue? It is acting in accordance with
our nature and our striving towards the ?good,? by means of moderate actions is
everyday life. Knowing this practical type of reason, we can now examine the
theoretical type of reason, intellectual virtue. Happiness is an activity, it is
not a passive state for Aristotle. It is our potential which allows us to be
motivated by the concept of the ?Unmoved Mover,? towards a state of perfection
or perfect happiness.
In order to achieve this state, a human, according to
Aristotle, must partake in an activity which is both sought for intrinsic
purposes and is in itself perfect. Intellectual virtue is this activity. It is a
theoretical principle which each person knows ?a priori;? it is the act of doing
what is most natural for all humans to do, to reason. It is our nature according
to Aristotle, to reason, and it follows that if we achieve the perfectness or
excellence (arete) in our nature, we achieve perfect happiness. Specifically,
for Aristotle, the best way to come close to achieving the perfect ?good? is to
act as a seeker of truth. The philosopher is the way to go according to
Aristotle; ?Philosophical thought is the way to consummate perfect happiness,
but it doesn't pay well.?
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