Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Books One and Two Assignment | Online Assignment

PHIL 100, Section 002 Spring 2020 Fourth Writing Assignment
This assignment is primarily exploratory and analytical. It is designed to show your
understanding of the texts we are reading in class, and also to show your understanding of
the issues and questions these texts treat.
·
· Your essay is to be 900-1500 words in length. Use 1-inch margins all around,
double-spacing, and a font no larger than 12-point. This means your essay will be
about 3-5 pages typed double-spaced, or the equivalent. Longer essays will be
accepted; shorter ones will not.
· Submit your paper in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
· Be sure to respond to all parts of the topic question and to all questions raised in
the topic description. The result should be an essay composed of paragraphs (that
is, not isolated sentences or sentence-fragments). You are not limited to any
specific number of paragraphs. The essay can be divided into parts (a., b., etc.) if
you wish.
· Use your own words to answer the topic question. This is not a collaborative
assignment.
· You may quote from the class texts or notes, but no more than one-fifth (20 per
cent) of the essay should consist of quotations.
· In order to answer the question correctly, you will need to think and reason about
your response; simply copying from class notes or class texts will not enable you
to answer the questions adequately. Include reasoning, not unsupported
opinions.
· You will also need to show what you think that the authors you are considering
mean by what they say. That is, show what in the texts supports the reasoned
inferences you make about the speakers’ or writers’ meanings.
· Do not copy the topic question into your essay; include only your response.
· Do not use any sources other than the class texts and your class notes.
· For some hints and tips on writing philosophy essays, see the Writing Resources
tab of our Blackboard page.
· Be sure to keep an electronic copy or a hard copy of your essay .
· Work handed in later than the scheduled date and time will be accepted, if
you request a grade of IN, in writing and with documentation of a legitimate
excuse, at least 24 hours before your assignment is due, or if you provide
documentation of an emergency occurring within 24 hours of the due date (in
which case you must still request the IN in writing). According to University
policy, grades of IN can only be issued if the student makes the request in writing
(emailed counts as written). Please see our syllabus for details.
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Topic question: be sure to answer all parts (a, b, c, and d, including all bulleted
points) of the question.
(a) In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Books One and Two, what is the relationship
between eudaimonia (“happiness”) and following the mean between extremes in your
activities (the mean appropriate to you)?
(Hint: What is the relationship between virtue or excellence and the “highest human
good” in Book Two?) (25%)
(b) Aristotle discusses two main types of knowledge in the Nicomachean Ethics:
“practical wisdom” and “theoretical wisdom.”
(Theoretical wisdom is also sometimes called simply “wisdom” in your text; this is the
same thing as the “wisdom” sought in Metaphysics A1-2 and it’s what “contemplation”
or “contemplative activity” focuses on in Nicomachean Ethics Book Ten. Practical
wisdom is mentioned in Book Two of the Nicomachean Ethics, and is discussed in more
detail in Book Six, Chapter 5 of the Nicomachean Ethics.)
§ What does Aristotle think is the role of each of these kinds of knowledge in our
quest for eudaimonia? (25%)
(c) Alain Locke argues that his students should seek knowledge: not only knowledge
that they can put to use immediately in their careers, but also knowledge that goes beyond
this.
§ Why? What reasons does Alain Locke give? (Identify more than one reason.) Be
sure to include a discussion of the benefits Locke thinks the search for knowledge will
have for the individual and for the community. (15%)
§ Compare and contrast Alain Locke’s reasoning with Aristotle’s reasons for
seeking a kind of wisdom that goes beyond the productive arts (Metaphysics A1-2, NE
Book Six Chapter 5 and Book Ten; or both). Identify and explain at least one
similarity and one difference between Locke’s account and Aristotle’s account.
(15%)
(d) Alain Locke also argues that his students should not be limited by their society’s
expectations for them. Compare and contrast Locke’s reasoning with Aristotle’s
reasoning about why a life that includes “contemplation” or “contemplative activity” is
worthwhile (NE Book Ten). To answer this you will need to identify and explain at least
one similarity and one difference between Alain Locke’s account and Aristotle’s
account. (20%)
Good luck with all of your exams and papers, and please stay healthy and safe.
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