This lesson introduces concepts

from Aristotle Nichomachean Ethics

and deeply examines issues on ST
using Aristotle’s idea and concept of
good life. The Aristotelian concept
serves as the philosophical lens to
assess society’s relationship and
dealings with science and technology.
Aristotle
 born on 384 BCE at Stagira, Chaldice.
 Ancient Greek philosopher and
scientist
 Joins Plato’s Academy when he
turned 17.
 founded his own school, the
Lyceum, in Athens
 wrote two ethical treatises:
the Nicomachean Ethics and the
Eudemian Ethics
According to
Aristotle, the good
life is the happy
life, as he believes
happiness is an end
in itself.
 Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics and
the Goal of Good Life

According to Aristotle, happiness

consists in achieving, through the
course of a whole lifetime, all the goods
— health, wealth, knowledge, friends,
etc.
• The NICHOMACHEAN
ETHICS (NE, EN- latin
version).
• The NE is in 10 books and
is most widely read of
Aristotle’s ethical treatise
1. In the documentary film, the Magician;s
Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case against
Scientism, C.S. Lewis posited that
science provides guidance for ethics .
One such ethical basis is the Aristotle’s
Nichomachean Ethics.
In NE book 2 chapter 2, he claimed that every activity
aims at some good. The highest good is the end or goal
of that activity.

Some activity or actions aim at an instrumental good

(good for its own sake) while some aim at an intrinsic
or basic good (good for the sake of something else).
 Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good, The
Ultimate Happiness

To the vulgar men pleasure (happiness and enjoyment) is

the ultimate good.

Pleasure is undeniably the motivation behind many

actions, but it puts humans on the level of animals.
Aristotle first recognizes that happiness is the
ultimate good. All other goods are intermediate
while happiness is final.

In the Aristotelian sense, happiness is

living well and doing well.
The term “eudaimonia” means happiness and eu
zen (living well). The Greek term eudaimon is
composed of two parts “eu” means “well or good”
and “daimon” means divinity, spirit, soul or self.
Eudaimonia is what defines the good life. To live a
good life is to live a happy life. Aristotle conclude that
the means of happiness and the purpose of human
existence is virtue

Eudamonia or happiness is unique to human for it is

simply human function. It is achieved only through a
rationally directed life.
 Aristotle’s Tripartite of Soul
Irrational Part  
Vegetative ( Nutritive) Sensitive Rational
Plants Non-Humans Human Only
Animals Animals Above plus ability
Humans Above plus response to to engage in
Growth Environment rational thought
Reproduction Pleasure  
Feeding Pain
Memory
 The vegetative (or nutritive) element  is common to
all living organisms, regardless of type (e.g. animal,
plant, human) or stage of development (e.g. embryos,
children, adults) and involves the power for self-
nutrition, reproduction and growth.
The sensitive element deals with our impulses,
our passions, our capacity for movement and
basic decision-making.  We share this element
with animals. 
 The Rational Element this part expresses our
unique function as human beings. The rational part is
important in Aristotle’s assessment in what constitute
eudemonia. This is strictly and uniquely human not
common to all creatures or shared animals.
 
 Aréte and Human Happiness

Aréte, a Greek term defined as excellence in

terms of any kind and can mean moral or
intellectual virtue.
The Moral virtue or the virtue of character
through habitual practice.

Intellectual virtue or the virtue of thought is

achieved through scientific and technical
education and training, time, and, experience
 Virtue involves habit and choice. By making the
proper decision, one develops a virtuous habit or
disposition, which has been cultivated by past
choices.
 Good Life as related to Flourishing Science
and Technology
Good Life is the contemporary period defined by
advancement and development of science and
technology

Society’s engagement in nanotechnology, modern

genetics and even robotics are the basis of what we
call GOOD LIFE in the present.