Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics

Study Guide
Book I
1. Explain Aristotles conception of arts (or applied sciences), inquiries, and actions in Chapter
1. How does he determine which arts and actions are better than others?
2. According to Aristotle, what is the master science? Why must there be such a master science?
3. Why does it matter that the Nicomachean Ethics is concerned with the good attainable by
action? How does the fact that this is a practical and not a theoretical investigation affect the
accuracy of the treatise?
4. What are the three prominent types of life discussed by Aristotle in Chapter 5? What is the
end (goal) of each type of life? What problems does Aristotle develop with regard to these
goals?
5. Based on your understanding of Chapter 5, what requirements must the highest good must
fulfill?
6. According to Aristotle in Chapter 7, what are the requirements that the highest good must
fulfill?
7. According to Aristotle in Chapter 7, what is the highest good? Exactly how does it fulfill the
requirements he has identified?
8. What is the basic purpose of Aristotles discussion in Chapter 8?
9. According to Chapter 9, how is happiness acquired?
10. What problems with his conception of happiness does Aristotle develop in Chapters 10 and
11?
11. Carefully describe Aristotles conception of the soul as explained in Chapter 13.