Philosophy Bites – Edith Hall on Aristotle’s Way

Intro

In this episode of Philosophy Bites, Edith Hall discusses Aristotle’s Way, a practical method for decision making, handling emotions, and nurturing relationships. Aristotle believed that life is a journey with set goals and practical methods to achieve them. His philosophy is being revisited as strict religious rules become less attractive and understanding our Freudian instincts becomes standard.

Main Takeaways

Aristotle’s Way of Living

• Aristotle was interested in ethics, which is the question of how we should live.
• Aristotle’s way is a practical method of dealing with decision making and handling emotions and relationships in practice.
• Aristotle saw life as a journey with set goals and practical methods to achieve them.
• Humans are animals, but what sets us apart are qualities like the ability to deliberate, think abstractly, and have a sense of humor.
• Aristotle believed that we should channel our physical needs to get the best out of them and understand ourselves as a fusion of human intellectual ability and physical bodies.

Eudaimonia: The Best Version of Yourself

• Aristotle’s concept of Eudaimonia is often translated as happiness, but it is better understood as a way of life, not a state of being.
• Eudaimonia is about being the best version of yourself and doing the right thing, not just pursuing pleasure.
• Eudaimonia is achieved by reflecting on decisions, learning from mistakes, and being at peace with oneself on their deathbed.
• Material goods are a precondition for happiness, but they do not guarantee it. Riches and power do not ensure Eudaimonia.
• Reflection is essential, but there are practical things we can do to guide ourselves towards good choices.

Telos: The Goal of Human Life

• Teleological means that everything in the universe has a goal or aim, including human beings and plants.
• Telos means having a goal, an objective, which applies to everything in the universe, including humans and plants.
• Aristotle believed that the telos of a human is to become the best possible adult version of oneself.
• The telos can be stunted by not setting goals or through deprivation, such as not being fed, cuddled, and educated as a child.
• Aristotle believed that everyone can achieve their telos and should continue working on themselves psychologically, mentally, and intellectually until they die.

A Practical Philosophy for Everyday Life

• Aristotle’s ethics are not one size fits all, and he believed in adapting to personal circumstances and exploring different experiences to identify one’s potential and go down the right career path.
• We should aim to channel emotions and passions at the right time and in the right amount.
• Husbanding resources properly and being generous can lead to happiness.
• Aristotle’s philosophy embraces the body, instinct, and emotions, making it practical for everyday life.
• Societies that don’t evolve in response to new data or good arguments are doomed to be collectively unhappy.

Summary

Aristotle’s Practical Philosophy for Living

Aristotle’s philosophy revolves around ethics and the question of how we should live. He developed a practical method, known as Aristotle’s Way, for decision making, handling emotions, and nurturing relationships. He believed that life is a journey with set goals and practical methods to achieve them. Aristotle saw humans as animals but emphasized qualities that set us apart, such as the ability to deliberate, think abstractly, and have a sense of humor. He advocated for channeling our physical needs to understand ourselves as a fusion of intellectual ability and physical bodies. Aristotle’s philosophy is being revisited as strict religious rules become less attractive and understanding our Freudian instincts becomes standard.

Eudaimonia: The Best Version of Yourself

Eudaimonia, often translated as happiness, is better understood as a way of life rather than a state of being. It involves being the best version of yourself and doing the right thing, not merely pursuing pleasure. Achieving Eudaimonia requires reflecting on decisions, learning from mistakes, and being at peace with oneself on their deathbed. While material goods are a precondition for happiness, they do not guarantee it. Riches and power do not ensure Eudaimonia. Aristotle emphasizes the importance of reflection and offers practical guidance to guide ourselves towards good choices.

Telos: The Goal of Human Life

Aristotle introduces the concept of telos, which means having a goal or objective. He believed that everything in the universe, including humans and plants, has a telos. For humans, the telos is to become the best possible adult version of oneself. However, the telos can be stunted by not setting goals or through deprivation during childhood. Aristotle believed that everyone can achieve their telos and should continuously work on themselves psychologically, mentally, and intellectually until they die.

A Practical Philosophy for Everyday Life

Aristotle’s ethics are adaptable to personal circumstances and encourage exploring different experiences to identify one’s potential and career path. He emphasizes the importance of channeling emotions and passions at the right time and in the right amount. Properly husbanding resources and being generous can lead to happiness. Aristotle’s philosophy embraces the body, instinct, and emotions, making it practical for everyday life. Additionally, he recognizes the importance of societies evolving in response to new data and good arguments to avoid collective unhappiness.

Conclusion

Aristotle’s Way provides a practical and adaptable philosophy for living a fulfilling life. It emphasizes the importance of ethics, reflection, and personal growth. By striving to be the best version of ourselves, making wise choices, and nurturing relationships, we can achieve Eudaimonia and live a meaningful life.