Aristotle part 4 Ethics and Philosophical Reason

A discussion of Aristotle's view of human reason especially of philosophical reason

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Aristotle
• ethics
• happiness
• philosophical
• reason
• practical

[PencilsAreAwesome]

Aristotle sounds a lot like Benjamin Franklin, how he practiced and trained himself in "13 virtues", plus how he devoted himself to studying science, politics, and much more.

[wmiller24]

Your comment is quite insightful. Franklin was certainly familiar with Greek philosophy, and it seems that his focus on virtue is quite consistent with Aristotle's moral theories. Also, as you point out, Franklin devoted his life to the study of science, politics, and technology, with a very strong interest in the practical benefits of such an education. Either consciously or unconsciously, he seems to have been greatly influenced by Aristotle's philosophy and lifestyle.

[wmiller24]

I would also like to point out that just as Plato and Aristotle founded their own schools in ancient Greece, Benjamin Franklin founded the college that later became the University of Pennsylvania (an Ivy League school) as a school which focused on the practical aspects of higher education.

[konradlackspear]

You sir, are the pwnage.

[wmiller24]

Thank you for the positive feedback.

[Intendente88]

Very well said thankyou

[BombadilTheBadass]

very informative, thank you

[LoveNeverCeases]

Thank you for the videos! I am new to the greek philosophers and coming from the modern philosophers, I see that the modern are only copies or refutations. It's amazing too to compare the psychologist Freud with the philosophers and see how much of his works were unoriginal.

[EllieMM5]

Very well explained. Thank you for your thorough and exemplary explanation. We can truly understand Aristotle's philosophy as you explain it. This really helped me with my Philosophy of Education Master's class. Thank You!

[mindhasyou]

@mindhasyou Ha-ha, I’ll admit I am playing sophist here. It is like saying happiness is not for everyone and perhaps this is true in the majority of people. The fact that America is based on democratic principles seems scary, and corruption can only come of Democracy. After all, it’s always mob rule. Although it’s true that democracy is an equalizer, a necessary evil almost. When good men do nothing evil prevails. (Tell me how I fare at imitating a sophist).

[mindhasyou]

@mindhasyou . Here’s another one: The master enjoys his slave. The master is happy to be served, and the subject is more than willing to serve him. After all, now the rulers have plenty of time to fulfill ones own self without regard to the subjects. So is there virtue in such?

[mindhasyou]

@mindhasyou It is true that the majority of people today find virtue in pleasure such as sex, alcohol, large sums of money (without cause), ECT. So then if purpose is happiness then how do we know that happiness is achieved through moral absolutes of virtuous endeavors? Let us take a King for example. He has the providence at his finger tips and if you don’t like it he then has the subjects head on a pike.

[mindhasyou]

GREAT! Thank you for your time. This was much appreciated. This talk has brought me to totally rethink my life. Although I have already come to part of this conclusion (by my own reasoning) that in order for life to be truely happy, one must find purpose other than basic animalistic needs. I still wish to find purpose in life. And as you said when in virtue, one finds purpose, and purpose breeds happiness.

[Insidapc]

I don't wish to be confrontational or argumentative of your points (or Aristotle's). These are simply questions and concerns I had while watching your lecture that I would like to discuss and/or receive clarification on. Thanks

[Insidapc]

Who does one trust to teach him virtue? If one is to attain the "ultimate" by contemplation alone, then he is entrusting himself to teach virtue to himself... isn't he? Furthermore, I feel the prospect of a higher power is completely ignored by Aristotle. I feel this is a result of some form of "philosopher napoleon complex"(for lack of a better term)that seems to pervert the philosophic culture. Aristotle no doubt had superior abilities in contemplation but did this make him or others arrogant?