Study questions for Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics:
Note: The readings for the session are as follows:
Book One: 1.1-.81, 1.94 (pp. 1-23, 32-3)
Book Two: Complete (pp. 33-53)
Book Five: 5.1-5.41, 5.81-5.93 (pp. 116-23, 134-7)
Book Seven: 8.1-8.74 (pp. 198-207)
Book Ten: Complete (pp. 266-98)
The page numbers refer to the 1985 edition published by Hackett and translated by
Terence Irwin. There are six copies of this edition on reserve in Butler.
- Why is happiness the highest good?
- What are Aristotle’s objections to Plato’s theory of forms? Are these valid,
or do you have additional criticisms to raise?
- How does Aristotle arrive at his conception of virtue and how does it differ from
Plato’s? Do you agree with either?
- What does Aristotle mean when he says that virtue is a "mean?" Do you see this
as convincing?
- How does Aristotle define justice? How does this compare to Plato’s definition?
- What is the role of pleasure in Aristotle’s account? Are all pleasures equal? Does
this remind you of something in Plato?
- What is the relationship between happiness, pleasure and virtue?
- Do you agree with Aristotle’s link between virtue and legislation? Although we
haven’t read the Politics yet, can you speculate on the kind of state
Aristotle would desire?