There are virtues of thought and virtues of character. Aristotle describes this human function as “activity of the soul in accord with reason,” or, more particularly, with virtue. To understand the highest good, then, it’s necessary to understand the function of a human being. Most people agree that happiness is the highest good, but they disagree about what it consists of. He also points out that this work will “indicate the truth roughly and in outline,” not comprehensively. He digresses to explain that Nicomachean Ethics will be a work of political science, the science which seeks the good of the city. To do this, it’s necessary to identify the best good, or end-the thing people pursue for its own sake, not for the sake of anything else. Aristotle begins by seeking to identify the best way of life.
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