For this assignment, you are to read a primary source related to the content of the lecture in this module. Upon completion of the reading, you will need to complete a reading response journal. Readi

Reading Guide for Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics This homework is designed to help you approach philosophy with the attention of a philosopher by guiding your analysis, checking your comprehension, refreshing your memory, and stimulating your thinking. While it will draw your attention to important parts of the text, it is not comprehensive. Your analysis depends on your own close and careful reading. You are should use it before, after, or as you read. You are not expected to fill this homework out and submit it prior to the start of our class discussion on the Nicomach ean Ethics , as these are the sorts of questions that will be posed during our discussion. Comprehension: • In Book I, Chapter 4, what is the main topic Aristotle discusses? • In Book I, Chapter 5, what are the three popular conceptions of happiness that Aristotle discusses? Does Aristotle agree or disagree with these three conceptions? Explain his reasoning here for each conception . • In Book I, Chapter 7, what does it mean for the human good to be a “complete end” and “self -sufficient” ? How does happiness meet Aristotle’s notion of a complete end and self - sufficiency ? • In Book 1, Chapter 7, what is the function of a human being according to Aristotle? • In Book 1, Chapter 8, what kinds of actions does a good person take pleasure in performing? • In Book 1, Chap ter 8, what external goods are necessary to achieve happiness? • In Book I, Chapter 9, how does Aristotle believe happiness is achieved? • In Book I, Chapter 13, what are the two parts of the human soul? What is the role of reason in Aristotle’s conception of the soul? • In Book I, Chapter 13, what are the two types of virtue mentioned? • In Book II, Chapter 1, how are virtues acquired? • In Book II, Chapter 2, how does excess and deficiency relate to being virtuous? • In Book II, Chapter 3, what is role of education a nd pleasure and pain in being virtuous? • In Book II, Chapter 6, how does Aristotle define a virtuous action with respect to its being a mean? • In Book II, Chapter 7, how is the virtue of bravery defined? Temperance? Generosity? • In Book IX, Chapter 9, what ro le do friends play in living a happy life? • In Book IX, Chapter 11, how are friends needed in both good and bad times in life? In bad times, how is the presence of friends both pleasurable and painful? • In Book IX, Chapter 12, why does Aristotle believe friends should live together? Analysis and Evaluation: • In Book I, reflect on Aristotle’s discussion of happiness. Does Aristotle offer compelling reasons for the conceptions of happiness he rejects and the conception he advocates for? Explain why or why not. • In Book I, Aristotle mentions that happiness requires external goods. Consider his list of external goods; do you believe happiness depend s on such goods? Or does happiness not depend on them? Explain why or why n ot. Support your explanation with a t least one relevant example. • In Book IX, Aristotle argues that friendship is necessary to achieve happiness.

Considering his reasoning: does he offer compelling reasons as to why friends are indispensable to happiness? E xplain why or why not. • In Book IX, Aristotle believes the benefits of friendship can only be fully achieved if we are living with our friends. Consider his reasoning with respect to your own life. Have you ever lived with friends? What tangible benefits di d you discover from this arrangement? What disadvantages (if any) arose? If you have never lived with friends, then imagine what benefits and disadvantages might arise from such an arrangement and decide whether or not you would want to live with friends i f the opportunity manifested itself.