Nicomachean Ethics: Greek and English Parallel Translation (Hopkins Classical Collection)

Nicomachean Ethics: Greek and English Parallel Translation (Hopkins Classical Collection)

HOPKINS CLASSICAL COLLECTION Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is a foundational text in Western philosophy that explores the concept of virtue ethics and the good life for humans. Written in the 4th century BCE, the work is named after Aristotle's son, Nicomachus, to whom it was dedicated. It is divided into ten books and delves into the nature of happiness, virtue, and the ethical life. Aristotle begins by positing that the highest good for humans is eudaimonia, often translated as happiness or flourishing, which he argues is achieved through a life of virtuous activity in accordance with reason. Central to Aristotle's ethical framework is the concept of virtue, which he classifies into moral and intellectual virtues. Moral virtues, such as courage and temperance, are developed through habit and aim at achieving a mean between excess and deficiency. Aristotle emphasizes the importance of practical wisdom (phronesis) as a guide to making ethical decisions, enabling individuals to act in ways that are consistent with virtuous living. Aristotle also explores the role of friendship, pleasure, and political community in the ethical life. He distinguishes between different types of friendships—those based on utility, pleasure, and goodness—arguing that true friendship is founded on mutual goodness and is essential for achieving eudaimonia. Finally, he considers the importance of a just political community in fostering the conditions necessary for its citizens to lead virtuous lives, highlighting the interconnection between ethics and politics in achieving the good life. Through Nicomachean Ethics , Aristotle provides a comprehensive framework for understanding ethics not just as a theoretical study, but as a practical guide to living well.