Nicomachean Ethics - Friendship Cont.

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Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's robust examination of the art of living well. His approach, which sees this art as distinct from any theoretical science, is both novel in comparison to Plato (who did not treat ethics separately this way or have a treatise on it) and is influential for the concept of "practical reason" which shapes modern philosophy many centuries after it. Probably edited by his son, Nicomachus, the work is Aristotle's most detailed and accessible effort to explain the unification of our moral thinking with the emotions and appetites.

Last time, we discussed the obligations involved in the exchange of utility and pleasure among friends who are unequal. This included the important relationship of teacher and student.

This week, we complete Book 9, chewing over Aristotle's view on the importance of thinking to the life of a human being and why it's important to share this life with at least one other close person.

We are using the widely available Ross translation, but feel free to bring any or no translation of the text, as we should be reading it aloud clearly enough for everyone to follow. Familiarity with the content is of course encouraged but not required.