Aristotle Demystifying The Good Life Analysis

Aristotle: Demystifying the Good Life
Aristotle had a singularly practical approach to living a good life, one that rouses hope and reasonability rather than dread and piousness. He was able to view the purpose of human morality based on its contextual function within nature, rather than the sentimental fanaticism and self-importance that comes so naturally to humans. His practical analysis feels reasonable and respectful, rather than demanding and condescending. It’s a more effective and realistic way of viewing right and wrong, resisting the urge to make morality grandiose. The breadth and depth of Aristotle’s work cannot be overstated. He helped continue the Socratic legacy of practical philosophies, looking logically at what constitutes …show more content…
His understanding of human anatomy for the purpose of practical help may have set his perspective at a young age before studying philosophy later. His approach relies on acceptance of the world as it is and seeing the principles supporting it. He never indulges in the idea that if one just thinks hard or long enough they can manifest or discover some pure idea that will make clear the reasons for life’s biggest questions. He seems to have a genuine, non-biased interest in the way things are. The perspective is removed from his own self-interest and even the human centric way many people think and other philosophers approach their own epistemology. As Aristotle says himself, “It is a sacred duty to give preference to truth.” He resists the allure of “pure ideas” or the idea that there is a way things “ought be”. With no expectations or ideals of objective morality, Aristotle is able to draw out practical truths about the effectiveness of …show more content…
This does not vulgarize these values, but emphasizes them. Being moral is purely human and temporal. The idea that morality is a set of eternally beholden bylaws misunderstands the practical function of morality. Externalizing the need for virtuous living to some mystical correctness takes the responsibility to be good from the individual. Values are set by what has been found effective. These are naturally set boundaries. Acts deemed as immoral are those that are found to endanger the values that give liberty to the community. Conversely, behavior deemed as moral fortifies the values of the community. These virtues are not a priori of God or preexistence, they are an active understanding, a rational conversation the individual has with themselves requiring that they maximize all of their human