Overview
This lecture covers Aristotle's life, his major philosophical questions and answers, focusing on happiness, virtue, art, friendship, and persuasive communication.
Aristotle's Life and Legacy
- Born in 384 BC in Macedonia, with his father as the royal doctor.
- Tutored Alexander the Great, influencing him before founding the Lyceum in Athens.
- His teaching style involved walking discussions, leading to his followers being called "peripatetics."
- Most of his books are actually compiled lecture notes.
Happiness and Virtue
- Aristotle explored what makes people happy in the Nicomachean Ethics.
- Happiness depends on possessing virtuesâdistinct positive character traits.
- Identified 11 key virtues: Courage, Temperance, Liberality, Magnificence, Magnanimity, Pride, Patience, Truthfulness, Wittiness, Friendliness, and Modesty.
- Each virtue lies between two vices (extremes), a concept called the "golden mean."
- Virtue comes from habit, practice, and guidance, not instant change.
- People lacking virtue need support and teaching rather than punishment.
The Purpose of Art
- Aristotle studied Greek tragedy and wrote the Poetics, a guide on drama.
- Good tragedy includes peripeteia (reversal of fortune) and anagnoresis (dramatic revelation).
- The aim of tragedy is catharsisâan emotional cleansing focusing on fear and pity.
- Art instills important truths and compassion by reminding us that terrible things can happen to anyone.
Friendship
- Aristotle identified three types of friendship: pleasure-based, utility-based, and true friendship.
- True friendship involves caring for another as for oneself, sharing joys and sorrows.
- True friends improve and support each other, helping both grow.
Rhetoric and Persuasion
- Aristotle founded rhetoric, the art of persuasion, noting that logic alone doesn't always win debates.
- Persuasion requires addressing emotions, fears, pride, and using humor and examples.
- Effective communication helps wise ideas reach broader audiences.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Virtue â A positive character trait located between two vices.
- Golden Mean â The balanced position between two extremes of character.
- Peripeteia â Sudden reversal of fortune in Greek tragedy.
- Anagnoresis â Moment of critical discovery or revelation in a play.
- Catharsis â Emotional purification or cleansing experienced by audiences of tragedy.
- Rhetoric â The art of persuasive speaking or writing.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the list of Aristotleâs virtues and examples of the golden mean.
- Read selected passages from the Nicomachean Ethics and Poetics for further understanding.