Nichomachean Questions

1. The opening argument concerning the nature of the aim/purpose of all actions is;

"The good is the aim of all Praxis."

Every deliberate action or pursuit, has for its object the attainment of "some" good. We may therefore assent to the view which has been expressed as "The Good" is that at which all things aim. The Logical flaw here is the differentiation between "The Good", which is singular, and "some good" which is plural.

The analogy fails the 'meat-loaf test'. The conclusion fails to include the correct premise.

2. An instrumental end is a step in the process leading towards the final or ultimate end.

For example, doing homework is aiming at an instrumetal end. This end brings us a step closer to Good marks, again an instrumental end, which cause a chain reaction that then leads to a final instrumental end . This final result may be be a good career which can be followed by the ultimate end, wealth.

3. Infinate progression is a never ending chain of ends. We have reason to believe that a higher good exists because through philosophy we can achieve knowledge which will help us to work towards the final end.

4. "An end...which we seek for its own sake?"

Continues on to be "the cause of our seeking all other ends." This is Aristotles relation to, and explanation of, the final end. The target at which all the others are aimed.

5. The argument which Aristotle uses is this:

Political science is the final end or good because it has the most authority and control over the rest. It arranges things in the community so that they reach their end. It guides pursuits such as economics and war, which are in themselves, instrumental ends. These pursuits thereafter serve the end of politics.

I accept this argument to an extent. Politics may not be the ultimate end, but it dictates most of our lives and is influential in ways we may not realise.

It is the ultimate controler however of society. It establishes our laws, which in turn, marginalise our behaviour.

An example; Our education is built on rules established by government, and that means politics.

6. Aristotle would agree that " A knowledge of the good is a great advantage" because we are "more likely to hit the mark if we have a target". We are more devoted if we have a goal at which we are aiming. This again puts to use the teleological argument. We should according to Aristotle get at least a rough idea of what the good really is.

7. Aristotle does not believe that we will ever achievea detailed and complete description of the highest good. This is, according to Aristotle, because of "so much divergence and variation of opinion".

There is no absolute certainty possible. Therefore we should