Question

1. What does Aristotle think is the most important metaphysical question, and what is his answer? You need to explain his answer. (at least 300 words)

2. How does Aristotle explain change? (at least 250 words)
3. What, according to Aristotle, is the highest good, and what does that have to do with his theory of virtue? (at least 300 words)

Answer 1

Aristotle view on Change

"Natural things are some or all of them subject to change." - Aristotle

He said that every substance living or dead have to undergo change. It is a life- process. It is their characteristic. He stated that there are only two ways to change- either from something they already are or from what they are not. There is no third way. They have to be a subject of change.

He proclaimed that there are three essentials for a change to occur - a pair of opposites and a subject of change. A pair of opposites is a form and a lack of form. For instance - A non-dancer becomes a professional. Or perhaps an ore becomes a diamond after the rigorous process. So in the first example, the person is not a dancer and he becomes a dancer - something he is not - coming from a lack of dancing skills. He is also coming from what he is- a man. Here we can see a pair of opposition -an existing form (A man) and lack of form (dancing skills).

So, according to Aristotle, there are two kinds of change- Accidental change and substantial change. Accidental change- alteration- man becoming a dancer. Substantial change is destruction and generation of a substance - processing of ore to produce diamonds.

Highest Good

In his book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle wrote every action is done for good, This good varies between the individual and the context. For instance- strategizing for war has a good aim for victory or honour. He made a criteria list for highest good-

• It is desirable for its sake
• Not desirable for some other good
• Good must be acted upon

If one does not work to achieve it, he may never be able to get it. So, Aristotle concluded that happiness is the highest good of human living. Everything else good is only due to the virtue of pleasure.

He stated that the highest good is a growing process. It cannot be gifted or received- It can only be learnt throughout life. One can only achieve happiness through action.

To summarise his theory - Eudaimonia is an end-in-itself. Eudaimonia translates to living well. It is an actual state of being happy in both aspects - physical and emotional. Your body is healthy, hence happy. Your hard work towards achieving happiness differentiates you from an animal.

In the same book - Nicomachean Ethics, he talks about his theory of virtue. His theory emphasizes 'the role of character', rather than your motive of doing the good. According to Aristotle, a virtuous person is someone who is

• Kind
• Have natural internal tendencies
• Needs to be nurtured
• Once nurtured he is stable

Theory of virtue claims that do not identify with universal principles. It is based on eudaimonism - how should one live. A person has to make decisions or act towards living well by performing one's distinctive function.