The two excellences of mankind: virtue theory in Nicomachean Ethics

• Main Authors: Hsiao-chu Hsieh, 謝曉筑
• Other Authors: Shui-chuen Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/97035600266201933918

碩士 === 國立中央大學 === 哲學研究所 === 98 === Aristotle said if eudaimonia is activity in accordance with virtue, then it is activity in accordance with the best virtue. According to his statement on the virtues, there are two kinds of eudaimonia, contemplation is the perfect and the more self-sufficiency, and moral virtues – is counted as eudaimonia of an inferior kind. Moral virtues mean the irrational parts of the soul, like desire or emotion, which obey the rational parts of the soul. Aristotle thought most people should be used to get through the moral virtues, but there is one question: a philosopher, who lived in contemplation, could he get the moral virtues at the same time? Certainly, Aristotle said we can see someone, who has intellectual virtues and moral virtues in middle-aged. But in researches, there are different views. The essay discusses what is eudaimonia, contemplation, moral action, and to find intrinsic values of those. According to Robert Heinemann’s view the word “teleion” had different means that was why he thought the perfect eudaimonia was contemplation alone. However, the question never concerned with what’s life that Aristotle to choose; and my conclusion is appealing to David Ross’s view to talk about Aristotle’s life.