You can learn to solve a differential equation. You can learn to ride a bike. But is happiness/flourishing something that can be learned? And if so, how? This class section will introduce Aristotle’s claim that the basis of your moral obligations is your human nature and what is required for your human nature to flourish. What is required for human flourishing, among other things, are moral virtues and intellectual virtues (excellences). By the end of lecture today:
1. You should be able to identify and compare intrinsic goods and instrumental goods.
2. You should understand the key premises of Aristotle’s function argument in relation to the ultimate intrinsic good.
3. You should be able to give a personal example illustrating Aristotle’s method of characterizing the virtues and vices.
Consider the following questions, write your responses in your journal, and talk about them with a friend:
1. What’s the difference between an instrumental good and a final good (according to Aristotle)? Give your own examples of instrumental goods in your life. What is their relationship to other goods? For example: if you think jogging is an important instrumental good in your life, what other good is it helping you attain?
2. If you had to form an advisory board to help you plot out the good life, who would you put on it? Why?
3. Read and reflect on the Atlantic article. How well are UNC Asheville students today poised to flourish?