SCRIPT:

Note: BOLD/Caps lock letters indicate emphasis; Italic letters are spoken with casuality.
Marvin:
The title Nicomachean Ethics is often assumed to refer Aristotle’s son Nicomachus, to
whom the work was dedicated or who may have edited it. Alternatively, the work may have been
dedicated to his father, who was also called Nicomachus.
Nicomachean consists of ten books and is understood to be based on notes from
his lectures at the Lyceum. But we will mainly focus on the third Book of Nicomachean which
consists of 12 chapters. Abigail, tell them what you’ve got!
Abi:
Alright Marvin! Now, let us talk about the 12 chapters of Nicomachean Ethics Book 3.
On the first chapter, Aristotle stated that virtue concerns feelings and actions that receive either
praise or blame. But which actions can be held responsible for it? Of course, people are
responsible for their virtuous actions, and therefore for their own happiness because when we
talk about virtue, we’re talking about voluntary actions and not involuntary actions, which is
forced or caused by ignorance.
ACTIONS CAUSED BY IGNORANCE and ACTIONS DONE IN IGNORANCE are two
different things.
Jaimer, you’re next! What do we have there?

Jaimer:
Now we’re talking Abi! Alright guys, let me tell you about Book 3’s second chapter. In
this chapter, Aristotle emphasized that DECISION plays a vital role in virtue. But take note that
even all decisions are voluntary, not all voluntary actions are decisions. Decision—as opposed
to mere appetite, wish, or belief—is also proper to virtue. Because decision involves reason
and thought, what is decided must first have been deliberated. Here, Aristotle emphasizes that
we must decide to act, and before we decide, we must deliberate.

Charisse, tell them about the next chapter before this starts to get boring.

Cha:
Yeah right, Jaimer. Let’s get this going. Chapter 3 explained that deliberation typically
concerns situations of uncertain outcome, when one must discern the right way to act. When
we say ‘the end’, it is a goal which someone is striving to get. For example, a doctor aims to
cure, or an orator looking to persuade “and then examine the ways and means to achieve it.” If
there are various possible means to an end, one must determine which way will be the easiest
and finest.
Let me define Deliberation for ya’ll. Deliberation is a process of inquiry and analysis. It
only applies in situations where there are multiple viable alternatives. Deliberation comes to an
end when we arrive at a definite decision on how to act. To arrive at a decision, one must first be
clear about one’s aim, then consider the alternative ways of achieving it and which of these is
best. Aristotle also noted in this chapter that partners in deliberation are often needed “when we
distrust our own ability to discern” without help.