Aristotle's guide to the good life | Nicomachean Ethics

[@_jared]

I caught an embarrassing typo in the video, but it was too late for me to change it. At 2:05 I spelled Thomas Aquinas' name as 'Thomas Aquinus.' I regret the error. If I catch any other errors, I'll put them here, too. In the meantime, let me know here what other topics you'd like to see covered. I'm making a list and planning for 2025!

[@daultonparish3529]

Great video! I also, mostly side with Aristotle here. It would be cool to see more modern iterations of virtue ethics (particularly Anscombe's) and see those works discussed/compared.

[@timbushell8640]

12:40... you miss spoke? "That it's the mean and that could imply that it sits exactly in the middle between the two virtues but Aristotle says that ethics is an imprecise area of inquiry."... surely between the two VICES... ?

[@michaelrjones37]

Happens ot the best of us, bud. Still a good video.

[@gappuma7883]

Another mistake is you say Aristotle was born in 384, but it should be 384 b.c

[@augustusmaximus1465]

Thank you for such an interesting channel. Because of you I went back to college and I’m studying philosophy. At age 66!

[@jackaubert7750]

66 here as well and also pleased to have found this KZbinr. Thank you!

[@donquixote7774]

I’m 55 and thinking about finishing that Masters in Geography I didn’t complete.

[@IAmRileyMan326]

I majored in philosophy and miss it dearly. Before I even knew that you had your PhD in philosophy, your videos and your demeanor really reminded me of the professors and PhD students I knew during my time as an undergrad. This is a great lecture, and I hope you make more videos like this. We need trained philosophers to explain this stuff to people, especially as it trends in popularity. Unfortunately, I think there's a lot of bad information/interpretations swirling around out there about the Nichomachean Ethics and Stoicism in particular. I think too many people view it in our Liberal/Capitalist context as just more individual "self-improvement content" rather than a radical call to re-examine oneself--your goals, your interactions with others, your relationships, how you treat others, what virtues you encourage in others, and how you contribute to mutual the flourishing of all people.

[@CMA418]

I found Plato by pure accident(or divine plan?🤷‍♂️) in a HS textbook someone abandoned in the lobby of my apartment building. When I first read, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”, it occurred to me how much time and energy I spent examining the lives of others.

[@kitkat186]

​@@CMA418well said😊

[@spiderman-du7yn]

I don’t typically comment on videos but wow! the production quality in this is superb! seriously. you’re doing god’s work making philosophical thought as important as Aristotle’s widely accessible to layman and others alike.

[@valkyrieocean]

Totally agree!

[@kavanhincheyofficial]

Absolutely! His production quality is improving rapidly and well.

[@asmonsilverbronze]

Came here to get a broad general overview to Aristotles Ethics, left with the strong desire to read every single word of the Nicomachean Ethics and become a better person. Thanks!

[@mikefixac]

In community college, I took Philosophy 101. Learning about the great philosophers throughout history was such a joy. This professor brings me back to my love of philosophy and these great minds have influenced the way we think.

[@simonwheeler8981]

As someone who has mostly tried to live virtuously at the cost of other types of success, I wholeheartedly agree with Aristotle. Without true friendship life is hollow and bleak. Trying to make up for this now but it’s a hard thing to find ‘virtue’ friendships as you get older.

[@lukaswarner5372]

Yes, it does sound like a challenge for you. Are you in or near a city? That might open things up for you.

[@tdanielskiss]

I'm glad this showed up in my feed. Good job on the exposition of Aristotle in this video. I truly enjoyed discussing all of these things in the philosophical classes I had in both my undergrad and master's degrees. They truly impacted my life.

[@Sophist98]

I read the Nichomachean Ethics about a year ago for the first time and while i was able to grasp its ideas i didn‘t really see the meaning and beauty behind them. Your video was great and made me really understand why you have Aristotle as your favourite philosopher! I thoroughly enjoyed that lengthy and in depht type of video and i would love more of that kind on different philosophers! Great work!

[@mermanarchy]

Took a class last semester on this, now taking a course on aquinas. Same professor both semesters, Dr. Patricio Fernandez. This guy is an expert on both these men, lives in Austin, and maybe you'd be interested in talking to him! Probably the smartest person I've met.

[@Baltazaarr]

Where can one find him? The name sounds too common

[@user-ci8qs2oc1b]

Google

[@randyt700]

Lol where is the financial advice comment coming in? These bots need their AI tweaked a bit.

[@mermanarchy]

@@randyt700 fun fact: your employer is scamming you by holding your money for up to 3 weeks before paying you. head to your local payday loans and get a big advance!!! also buy my book!!! it teaches you how to write books about making money so that you can make money selling books!

[@kChandler10]

Interesting video, Jared. Thank you. The content gave me a lot to consider. My husband and I led a mostly solitary life during our 36 year marriage. He worked from home so there was no opportunity to form office friendships. We associated with relatives and a few college friends at times, but not often since all lived out of state. My husband passed away last year. Sadly, the few friendships I had and even relationships with relatives have become deeply problematic, mostly because they now feel free to tell me what is best for me. Depending on the person the advice is contradictory. I carefully evaluate all my decisions so I consider their opinions unwanted and sometimes insulting. The courage it takes as an elder to create a new life on my own is not recognized by anyone I know. Fortunately, I'm learning to validate my own feelings and decisions and remain strong. Since I am grappling with many life changes, I would be interested in a video which discusses the philosophical approach to loss in a person's life and the introspection which becomes necessary.

[@TheFraze101]

In your section talking about where courage as a virtue is placed, when it comes to being in between Recklessness and Cowardice, I was surprised I didn't hear one definition of courage being: "taking action in spite of fear" It's a phrase I've heard either in a movie or in a book during my life, and I felt like it fit your idea of courage not being strictly in the middle of both recklessness and cowardice. (Which I thought was a very wise approach to the subject) Im deathly afraid of lightning after an incident during my childhood getting stuck under electric Poles & wires in a car during a severe storm. However, when I was tasked with supervising kids at a camp during an electric storm, I knew I had a job to do to keep kids safe, and I couldn't just buckle under my fear. I was always proud of my little moment there. It was a very cathartic moment where I felt "bigger" than my fear so to speak. All of this to say, that I really appreciated how you broke down virtue being a bridge between two polar opposites. I've never quite grasped that concept, but hearing it talked about in the way you did, it showed a very intuitive way of thinking about it. Thank you for your work!

[@kChandler10]

Your comment spoke to me since I am currently taking action in my life in spite of fear. That is courage and yes, we have to validate it for ourselves since few people can relate to how difficult it can be to access courage under overwhelming pressure and fear. Congratulations on quickly overcoming your fear when greatly challenged.

[@TheBUGGIEDUDE]

As someone who has a great interest in philosophy, but has neither time nor energy to read much up on it, thank you so much for these videos!

[@cherry1leii]

20:00 so true. I had a friend of virtue (at least for me thats what she was) for 11 years since we were really young. Its so sad that we outgrew eachother and I never really had friends mostly good acquaintances or her. Since my subconscious was programmes this way from an early age (1 years old, i believe), this is what friendship means to me, thus I have no friends. It is veryy VERY hard to find friends who see through you. Most people grew up with the pleasure type of friend because they are used to it now it doesn't really affect them knowing how it was to have a real virtuous friend. I'm glad for this friendship but it kind of altered my life. Unlearning this is very hard, I don't think it will even be even possible.

[@kChandler10]

I can relate to your comment. Thank you.

[@josephbowditch9160]

Subscribed! What an excellent video! Thank you

[@philtheo]

Jared's videos on subjects like this are sooo much better than traditional college classes - at least equally if not more knowledgeable and informative, more material covered in a more concise manner, more insightful and thought provokon, and simply far more enjoyable to follow along, all of which are tremendous aids to learning! 😊

[@CMA418]

I can’t say either way as I haven’t taken even one college course on the subject. It seems unlikely all college courses would fit your description though.

[@philtheo]

@CMA418 Thanks, that's true, I don't mean to imply all college classes, but I'm just speaking in general from my own experience.

[@manuelrodriguez5293]

Thanks for the video! It was very clear and helpful to better understanding Aristotle

[@CinkSVideo]

This is a nice summary. I like your take on living a good life and how we should make this more available to more people. Calling him elitist missed the point. Everyone should be able to work and support themselves in a way that provides enough leisure time for contemplation if they want it. The idea that only some people are deserving of this good life is actual elitism.

[@Beeoriginal33]

6:08 , i think that can be the definition of FREEDOM, too. So, i guess u can say , "rational activity of the soul in accord with virtue, makes u free, makes u happy".

[@vishnujoshi5825]

This is really a great lecture. I'm sure this will help me and many others to make their lives better. And also read this book also coz surely I'm gonna read it

[@IHasPinecone]

what a great video. This video makes a break companion to overview topics before/after reading them.

[@Konstantinos143]

You are better than my greek teachers 18 years ago - keep going at it. I take notes and keep reading from your videos regularly

[@collidingforces9589]

I am fascinated by what Virtue is. As a Catholic man virtue plays a critical achievement for those who long to live a life in accordance with the Spirit of God, however, in Christianity, Virtue is usually achieved by the grace given by God to the humble man. Virtue becomes the merit of the spirit. Anyway... I find your content exquisite. It's nice watching something I can use and flavor in the midst of noise and chaos.

[@pappapiccolino9572]

Great work Jared. I've watched dozens of your vids, and this is probably my favourite. I listened with great interest, and agree with much of what Aristotle has to say. Bravo Jared and Aristotle.

[@adambarr1232]

I've followed this channel for a while now. I would love to see more content similar to this.

[@asimplenameichose151]

Well done. Thank you for putting this together. (And thanks to the sponsor for allowing the video content to come first - I watched their spot.)

[@bryanutility9609]

Very well put. Concise & to the point 🙏

[@dgrenke4645]

This video deserves way more attention. Great video!

[@SuperYogagirl]

Thanks!

[@katrieladolphus920]

Please make more videos like this. ❤👏🙏

[@mr_mr]

Fantastic. This type of overview is really wonderful. It gives me a beginning understanding of an area that I can take as is or pursue deeper. Thank you

[@novalis791]

Nice and concise for such a good topic

[@fndmaioli]

Such a good video Jared, I've been following your newsletter, though I still can't subscribe, the free posts have been very enlightening already, thank you for your work!!

[@aidanpeterson9159]

Awesome video, so glad you're able to work full time on these

[@rickmcentee9204]

Awesome foundational video, Jared! 🏆💛👍

[@littlehummer]

Thank you, Jared. Your substack on this caught my eye, and got bookmarked. .....this video moved it up on my list of 'to do's.

[@erichumbert810]

Informative and enjoyable. Nice presentation. Well done!

[@pseudopseudo3679]

Thanks!

[@aftarsun]

Loved this summary! Appreciate you distilling the main themes.

[@yaksauce]

I agree, it does take a bit of recklessness to be courageous. But more than that, the Cardinal Virtue is wisdom. And wisdom allows discernment between the subtlest of distinctions.

[@KRinT04]

Thank you, Jared.

[@jtgmr1]

Really love the video. I like how you broke it down thematically instead of book by book

[@SoulsJourney]

Thank you for this video, great stuff. I only wish more people were interested in this topic. And just to let you know, I watched to the very end. I'll check out 80,000 Hours.

[@jairodominguez04]

Very good, thanks! I read the book three years ago around this time, and I was thinking of revisiting it as I watched your video.

[@mr_mr]

I very much appreciate the perspective that a virtuous contemporary life is possible. Although more challenging often it is possibly the beacon that shows us where we have allowed modern pressures and conveniences to consume our time and make this appear difficult. Essentially, declare what is ideal and review why that is hard to achieve. Not what is blocking it, but why

[@wilmeech]

Excellent video, I'd love to see more in this style if you enjoyed making it

[@_jared]

I love these sorts of video. I hope to make many more.

[@anboffbrand]

so important when so few seem to be able to engage with their own intellect.

[@anboffbrand]

i would love to be a modest, virtuous, philosopher-scientist. :/

[@Enhancedlies]

you always inspire me and give me the energy to read, thank you!

[@DreamTarot88]

Thank you excellent video 🤗🤗🤗

[@leiasmith3305]

This is so fabulous! Thank you.

[@leiasmith3305]

Now a paid subscriber on Substack - this and your recent video on the Stoics convinced me!

[@surajdhillon7695]

Thank you for providing this information! -☀FUTURE IS BRIGHT!

[@kialim]

The friendship and partnership between Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger is the perfect example of a Friendship of Virtue.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

🤮

[@nistalgiarpg]

Thank you for this wonderful explanation. 🙂 Now rereading the Nichomachean Ethics will be much more enjoyable.

[@Brody-zo1cf]

Great video, request more on other philosophy books.

[@octavibg]

Nice video Jared!❤

[@MerveKorlu-u1o]

Thank you!

[@Sp00nz4hire]

Can you do a video on the Chomsky-Foucault debate? Summarize their positions and give your opinions on their positions.

[@_jared]

That's a really nice idea. I had never thought of that, but I'll put it in the brainstorming box.

[@Spencergundersenmusic]

So good! Thank you for this.

[@anthenehBerhanie]

Thank you so much❤

[@Keior55]

I'm already enjoying this, just like with your other video about Stoicism. Would love to see more videos like this like on Wittgenstein

[@ElliotWatts]

This is the style look, fam

[@SuperEuclidean]

@15:00 you should do a 9 part video series describing the vicious and anti-vicious (i know you said the word but i can't remmember) of each of these 9 virtues. i am particularly confused on magnanimity, prudence, and wisdom.

[@ahmedmsalah9312]

God bless you

[@fng.antheus]

Incredible video. More of these deeper dives into specific theories/fields would be awesome. Can you also link the music? I’m curious what you’re using in the background

[@_jared]

I’d have to talk to my editor about it. I’ll see what I can do.

[@Pertinaziuos]

oh uau that descreption of what a good human life was, was a very close summery of my life at the moment lol

[@lynndavid1066]

To GOD be the GLORY ❤️ Proverbs

[@enki313]

I wonder, though, if you're not a philosopher or a scientist how do you engage in the "contemplative life"? I'm guessing trying to learn as much as you can, reading philosophy and other things that are educational and engaging in discussions in the matter? Even if you don't come up with big ideas like the dedicated philosophers? Does creating art count as that? Does it depend on the purpose and meaning of your work? I just got my copy of the nichomachean ethics and I'm looking forward to learning about this a bit more in depth but I don't know if it's going to answer these questions

[@trevorbranstetter6614]

Hi Jared, I just discovered this channel and really admire your videos! How you summarized the good life according to Aristotle, the idea of moderate living at around 24:30, not in poverty nor rich, reminds me of chapter 30 verses 7-9 of the book of Proverbs in the Bible. However, in the Proverbs this moderate living is centered around the writer Agur’s attitude towards Yahweh. I developed a love for reading when I started studying the Bible daily 4 years ago. I want to continue that but am also trying to diversify what I read. Classic works of literature and philosophy seem like a great place to start. I bought Aurelius’ meditations recently but maybe I could give the nicomachean ethics a try. I learned some about Aristotle back in college so the idea of eudaimonia is familiar. I also wanted to know if you have interacted with any books in the Bible? If so, what was that like?

[@BuddhistTushar]

Great video

[@elijahdavis1827]

Beautiful video please keep it up ❤

[@Luke-z2l]

In a loving community

[@mrcool982]

That 80,000 Hours group sounds great for people!

[@_jared]

They were a sponsor I was very happy to work with.

[@TallerdeVitrales]

Excellent channel and professor. Is it possible to add subtitles in other languages? Mine is Spanish. Thank you very much.

[@cactus2260]

Im reading plato at the moment but it seems i'll enjoy aristotle even more!

[@Philosophydecade2285]

Excellent video, you should do this more for the stoics

[@_jared]

I did one on the Stoics a few months ago! I’ll probably do more on some more recent philosophers, by which I mean later than Ancient Greece or Rome.

[@Philosophydecade2285]

@@_jared Video idea: 3 diciplines of epictetus, as explained by Pierre Haddot in his works 'The Inner Citadel'. I think his 3 diciplines, as expressed in Marcus's Meditations, can be talked about so much! so practical and effective for a traquil philisophical life.

[@ftgjt21]

You might consider a pop filter for the microphone. And thank you for video. I never took a philosophy class so this was interesting.

[@Agyaat_annonymous]

It was a very nice video and I agree with what you said (broadly I think what he said is universally applicable and accepted too in some way or another). But I still think his words are meant for outer World more or on how we behave , whereas from what you describe as stoics pov( I don't know much about them), I find myself agreeing with stoics more at spiritual level or at level of our inner core. Though if look at things even more minutely And from what I know of my own native ancient philosophy in east personally I think it makes most sense. ( maybe bcz of my biases or not) .

[@user-kv8nx9oj5v]

Great video! I wonder if it could help to put somewhere in the thumbnail (or title) a clue about what the video is about for those who are new to philosophy (like “what is a good life?” or something along those lines). I clicked on this video in support of you, if that makes sense, after enjoying your recent videos and subscribing. But I am unfamiliar enough with the title “Nichomachean Ethics” to see that and get a sense of why I might want to watch the video. Anyway, I’m mostly just commenting to give you some early engagement on the video so feel free to discard the suggestion! Keep up the good work!

[@_jared]

I'll consider this - I think the title isn't helping people know that they could click and still get something out of it, certainly!

[@tdanielskiss]

Do you think you could do a video on contrasting the Christian virtue ethic vs the ethic of modernity?

[@SuperEuclidean]

@12:28 "...even when they really ought to." This opens up a debate, doesn't it?

[@SuperEuclidean]

ya know what... this is the first video whose advertisement i've seen that actually made me want to click.

[@beerman204]

So, do you believe in virtue? No. I was trained to believe in virtue. My trainer knows best.

[@michaelshannon9169]

CBT often pontificate about "the good life", which usually involves morals, little about satisfaction, if you're conflating both then you're still missing the point.

[@JoseFlow94]

Love this ideas, Go in depth into stoicism! Would be appreciated

[@_jared]

I already made that video! Search for 'Stoicism: An In-Depth Explanation.'

[@JoseFlow94]

@ seen it already, sorry for typing to fast 😂 I mean like more into stoicism, and theese ancient philosophers 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@vmatt]

The sketch at 8:17 shows my house! Or, rather, where it would be built some decades later.

[@michaelm358]

Outstanding! Even by your high standards!

[@FeralPhilosophy_mw]

Great video thank you. Putting one together on Aristotle and weight training so it’s helpful to me. Random one - how do you get such beautiful audio?!??

[@_jared]

That mic is pretty affordable, even with a windscreen. Then I mix it all in Adobe Audition. You need to get a feel for your voice and your mic.

[@FeralPhilosophy_mw]

@ thanks man. Good of you to respond

[@SuperEuclidean]

@7:16 my understanding of the word eudaimonia is that it means supreme happiness and is not achievable for the living. only after you are dead can someone look back upon your life and say that you achieved it. granted... i am regurgitating what i heard my freshman prof say, so either i remember incorrectly or this dude is correct.

[@aek12]

Thank you. Save yourself.

[@maripijayanth822]

We need guidance for philosophy of Ethics.... Explain Its Complecation, books or resources to follow

[@ggddgg]

Not a fan of the clicking sound with the transitions, 10/10 nonetheless lol

[@naturoganism1641]

You just gained a sub.

[@TallerdeVitrales]

Is it possible to add subtitles in other languages? Mine is Spanish. Thank you very much.

[@pmussophilosophy]

I love the old footage of greek art. Where did you find those videos?

[@_jared]

My editor found that footage; he just trawls through public domain archives.

[@firstthings24]

Scottish Enlightenment (Hume, Smith) and its French rendition in Rousseau was heavily influenced by virtue ethics, moral sentiments and psychological basis of ethics. Peter Gay's 2 vols, Nussbaum etc demonstrate the Aristotelian and Antiquity influence over this emotive strain of Enlightenment. When we claim Enlightenment undermined virtue ethics, we are mostly referring to magnetic rise of Kantian axiomatic analytical philosophy.. one could even differentiate it as ethics vs. moral philosophy [Bernard Williams' brilliant writings demonstrate this schism]. The final nail in the coffin comes with rise of utilitarianism, positivism and Oxford school of analytical philosophy. Wittgenstein's later works were immensely helpful in destroying this dominance and clearing the ground for McIntyre, phillipa foot, Anscombe (herself a student of Wittgenstein) and others. For me Aristotle and Wittgenstein are the two most influential philosphers of practical reason, good life, and linguistics as communicative tool.

[@davidstrevens9170]

Good? Or perhaps, blessed. Goodness implies choice. How is it that we could choose our blessings? We rely on our environment in order to be blessed.

[@takumauzumakiamv5077]

Aristotle to me was the philosopher king that plato wanted

[@mcharold9877]

You obviously have studied Aristotle, doesn’t seem like you’ve lived it though. Aristotle believed knowledge comes from experience. Regurgitating texts in not like debating the principles and coming to your own conclusions that many times are similar to Aristotle. London City College teaches it this way. Highly recommend!

[@charmedprince]

So, basically, Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

[@perfectdarkmode]

I swear the law of attraction has been working for me lately.