Nicomachean Ethics

A student of Plato and a teacher of Alexander the Great Aristotle is one of the towering figures in Western thought. A brilliant thinker with wide-ranging interests he wrote important works in physics biology poetry politics morality metaphysics and ethics. In the Nicomachean Ethics which he is said to have dedicated to his son Nicomachus Aristotles guiding question is what is the best thing for a human being? His answer is happiness. Happiness he wrote is the best noblest and most pleasant thing in the world. But he means not something we feel not an emotion but rather an especially good kind of life. Happiness is made up of activities in which we use the best human capacities both ones that contribute to our flourishing as members of a community and ones that allow us to engage in god-like contemplation. Contemporary ethical writings on the role and importance of the moral virtues such as courage and justice have drawn inspiration from this work which also contains important discussions on responsibility practical reasoning and on the role of friendship in creating the best life. This new edition combines David Rosss classic translation lightly revised by Lesley Brown with a new and invaluable introduction and explanatory notes. A glossary of key terms and comprehensive index as well as a fully updated bibliography add further value to this exceptional new edition.