The way of logical reasoning in Aristotle’s ethical writings

Annotation

The paper examines the significance of logical arguments in Aristotle’s ethical treatises (Eudemian Ethics and Nicomachean Ethics), in particular, the use of the logical terminology introduced in Analytics. The research method used in applied sciences has its own way of reasoning, different from that used in theoretical sciences: it proceeds from the opinion, based on which one needs to draw a conclusion of the same kind, rather than from the proof. The syllogism for this kind of reasoning presupposes both a certain general opinion (major premise) and consideration of the specific circumstances for which sensory perception is important, a particular opinion (minor premise). Focusing on the provisions of the Posterior Analytics on unmediated principles, Aristotle similarly structures his reasoning about the initial principle of ethics as the ultimate goal, which is rooted in the «ultimate particular», which cannot be known and is only observed by the mind.

Keywords

Aristotle, ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, Eudemian Ethics, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics.

Literature

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