Aristotle

1
Aristotle

• Aristotles way of philosophizing (his method)
• Plato and Aristotle have opposing views
• Sensation gives us the truth
• Happiness and Friendship

2
Aristotles Method

• Aristotle wrote treatises, not dialogues
• A treatise is an essay that describes research
  and the conclusions that follow from it.
• Aristotle emphasized that analysis is essential
  to good thinking
• Analysis the breaking down of ideas into
  details and categories

3
Plato vs Aristotle Opposing Views
Plato
Aristotle

1. Truth is based on the careful analysis of
   sensations reason without observation cannot be
   trusted
2. Reality is temporal and spatial
3. Goodness and Happiness are the same a morally
   good life that is best for the individual

1. Truth is based on reason opinions cannot be
   trusted
2. Reality is eternal, outside time and space
   (forms)
3. Goodness is an ideal always to be sought, but
   never completely found
4. Happiness is living the morally good life
   courage, wisdom, moderation, Justice

4
The Cave (Aristotles View)

• Most people are prisoners of a lack of analysis
• The world of ideas exists only in our minds
• Ideas are based on our sensations
• True ideas are properly analyzed and categorized
• False ideas are subjective reactions, opinions
  without detailed evidence

5
Aristotle How the idea (form) of horse is
constructed in the mind

• We analyze many similar experiences and discover
  some common characteristics

A horse is a large, solid hoofed, herbivorous
mammal.
6
Happiness

• For Aristotle, to be happy is to achieve the most
  out of our individual talents and abilities.
  Happiness is the goal of life.
• Be courageous, just, wise, and disciplined in our
  own way
• Friends are the most valuable resource for
  happiness

7
What are friends?

• Friends are individuals who have something in
  common, a bond that unites them. There are three
  kinds of friends, all worth having
• Useful friends, bonded by an exchange of
  helpfulness
• Pleasant friends, bonded by pleasure and good
  times
• Good friends, bonded by a mutual desire to lead
  one another to happiness

8
Useful Friends

• A useful friend is one who helps you in day to
  day affairs the bus driver, the teacher, the
  friend who does your hair

9
Pleasant Friends

• A pleasant friend is one who helps you have a
  good time, to laugh, to enjoy life

10
Good Friends

• A good friend is one who helps you be a better
  person, one who tells you when you are on the
  wrong track, one who has your good at heart
• You are very fortunate to have even one good
  friend!