Intro to Aristotle's Ethics | Lecture 1: The Good

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Lecture Overview:
The purpose of the Nicomachean Ethics is to teach one how to become good. Aristotle begins this task with the claim that every voluntary human activity “seems to aim at some good.” He proceeds to arrange the goods in a hierarchy that points to the highest good - happiness.
Course Overview:
In the Nicomachean Ethics-the first book written on the subject of how best to live-Aristotle argues that human happiness chiefly depends upon a person’s character, which is formed by making good choices. This course examines Aristotle’s teachings about human nature, the meaning of the good, and the virtues necessary for happiness. Students will not only learn what Aristotle says about the good life, but will also explore ways to put this knowledge to work.

[@edabreu7871]

My children (teens) have conversations like this at the dinner table. If more of us participated with our children on these levels, imagine how the world of the future may turn into.

[@vicmartinez3711]

I tried to engage my children in that manner but their mother (whose father tried to do the same with his children) always steered them to the discussion of the mundane and banal realities of teenage life. I tried but I did not succeed.

[@TheDoctor1225]

@@vicmartinez3711 If I may, let me encourage you to not give up. Like your wife, mine is not one to take an interest in things like this, but I have found ways to work these principles (in conjunction with our Christian faith and ethics) into conversations with my sons and have been successful. Encourage them at every opportunity, introduce it to them and most of all, live it in front of them and let them know why you do what you do. You may never see it, but I believe that it will stay with them.

[@andrew_owens7680]

I don't like Aristotle. He is too damned sure of himself. Ignoramuses that thought they were as smart as Aristotle destroyed Western civilization for a millennium.

[@andrew_owens7680]

@joe jitsu People who aren't as smart as they believe themselves to be often favor some pop version of Aristotle- Ayn Rand, Jordan Peterson, Sam Harris. These are all people who make statements of certainty about what is good, what is politics, what is science. Aristotle is certainly worth studying and is indeed one of the most influential people in modern thought. That is why, later in life, I've come to study him. I believe, like Nietzsche, he has been misappropriated.

[@judystafford9048]

@@vicmartinez3711 Why did you "choose" to marry someone who is not on the "same page" with you? Your life and the life of your children is made harder by your wife's sabatoge. Maybe encourage and challenge her to grow intellectually? Life is more than the physical. We become what we think about or do not think about.

[@Gonzomedic1]

I hope these young people appreciate this time in their lives! What a blessing!

[@charleswest6372]

Hope they study this especially-!!

[@JayneTheory]

"...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

[@advocatefortruthlibertyand5803]

That's right long before there was Aristotle.

[@johnowens5342]

​@advocatefortruthlibertyand5803 he died 322 BC Fil.4:8 is still true but your dates are off

[@HM-vj5ll]

God breathed.

[@adellahansenolson7328]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮one day

[@arizonacolour8793]

​@@advocatefortruthlibertyand5803except it's from a fictional book

[@joemccormick9109]

Every time you make a choice it places a mark on your soul…..Can’t imagine a more thought-inspiring quote than that

[@TheWolfgangfritz]

Once I started to study Oriental philosophy, tactics and strategy I came across Myamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings, and on the back cover it said: "when Musashi speaks Wallstreet listens!" That scared me! No more Mr. NICEGUY! We are moving towards a cold hard, heartless way of doing business and interaction among ourselves. If we don't teach character building along the lines of Aristotle and then the Judeo-Christian style where trust and honor, fairness and mercy is shown then all we are left is cold blooded pragmatism!

[@minjael]

"Beautiful is the highest form of good" an answer I never thought I needed.

[@bryanutility9609]

But what’s good? They never really say anything

[@crondawg101]

These are the sort of conversations I expected to have in college. I was not so fortunate

[@alfredhitchcock45]

Yeah me too my philo prof was absent all the time

[@pjterryg5689]

Love this teaching makes me long for youth and to go to this Hillsdale College all my grandkids should be sitting right there! God bless each young person and professor at the university!

[@NYCThrax1]

As a lifelong student of Aristotle in my native Hellenic language -and my only mentor in philosophy- I could attest that the American youth are surely missing logic and critical thinking by not being taught Aristotle. Cancel culture is anathema to humanity! KUDOS to Hillsdale for educating the youth!!!

[@philliphayden2727]

A few of us olds were educated properly. Along with 5 years of Latin (!?!) I was instilled with linked curriculums in math, science, English and history that all related to each other. We didn't specifically have logic or philosophy classes, but the concepts were built in.

[@gormenfreeman499]

I'd say the first sentence of this book is straight on point. Nobody wakes up saying I'm going to commit evil today. All evil in the world is done in the name of good. This should be taught to people, its important for critical thinking.

[@mikeymacaque]

Do you think Aristotle got canceled? 😂

[@tonymorgan8397]

I’ve watched this video a dozen times or more today and I can’t stop taking notes on this 20 minutes

[@vietnameseamericansocialpoliti]

My words cannot say enough how I think about this course from my heart. Thank you.

[@darcy6957]

I am a recent Hillsdale alumnus, now attending grad school elsewhere, but - as with most Hillsdale alumni - still deeply enamored of my alma mater. I'm happy to answer any questions if anyone is curious about the college, the curriculum, or student life!

[@ezestudiosvegas]

Amen. May these videos be ever present within our hearts. Thanks for teaching important core principles to our youth.

[@kam.26]

There comes a point in everyone’s career where one must choose between doing what is right and what is easy. I have always chosen what is right ... and a few times my career suffered for it. But I still get texts and calls from people I worked with 10+ years ago to my most recent job and they all say the same thing: I was an great inspiration to them. That I changed their lives for the better. And to please hire them at my next job. There are times when it has been painful to be passed over for the promotion or not getting a certain job. But as I get older it’s of great comfort to know I have made a positive difference in 1000s of people’s lives and never compromised my ethics.

[@adeelali8417]

Love this. As someone who is in the start of his career, I want to leave behind some sort of legacy with those I work with. I want to be someone who is principled.

[@j.hmarvelous2231]

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! Love this. Hope all those students feel the power they’re gaining. School these days is sadly garbage. What wonderful school and great privilege we have to get a tiny bit of what students experience everyday. Also, much credit to the parents that send their kids to this school. GOD bless the school, professors, students, parents, and everyone watching. The future seems bright with this students. 🙏🏾🙏🏾💯💯

[@oksanalebrun5476]

To say I am deeply grateful for this great teaching to be publicly available to us is the very minimum. Back at my university years we were made to read all the great philosophers, but never had a chance to discuss and interact with a professor in such a way. I always imagined this way of studying and teaching. Now almost at 40, I was brought back to these timeless books and philosophers due to my MBA studies and the particular module called: Tackling Global-Local Challenges in Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability. Thank you for your invaluable wisdom and knowledge shared with us.

[@libertycoffeehouse3944]

Responsibility and sustainability is socialist indoctrination. It is be pushed by corporate America.

[@karrisajoss4271]

I said some words and ended up in court and what I was reaching for was success and connection. Nothing more. Before the 3 year court process, I had never made an improper legal action. I had been striving my whole life to be a person of noble character and to do what was just, right and fair. Hm, loving this discussion. All was dismissed in the end, but my words choices I took full responsibility for left a wake of destruction in my life. In the end, I drew back to God and apologized to God for the two worst things in the words: sinning against God and hurting myself.

[@SisterShirley]

After such a compelling comment, I really would like to know what you said.

[@Sunsets330]

Ty for sharing. I'm on a similiar journey.

[@bryanutility9609]

You can’t always be honest. Lying in self defense is justified. Let us know what happened please. 🙏

[@danb.9713]

This was absolutely fabulous. Than you Dr. Arnn.

[@dknicely1]

This is going to be an interesting journey

[@evgeniiaborodavka4627]

This is one of the best talks I have ever heard about Aristotle. Thank your for this deep and absolutely stunning conversation

[@Jv-mj6vu]

I’m so addicted. What an amazing college.

[@lebelame]

I enjoyed immensely, saw this after viewing Constitition 101 lesson 1, free online course,worth a donation and i am canadian. The course is perfectly setup for all who want to invest in knowing what steers their soul and the importance of bringing significance in ones life , refraining of bathing in victimhood. '' Know thyself '' Thales Mahalo !

[@im4m4a_ru63]

That’s right keep funding this evil beast

[@karrisajoss4271]

Thank you dear Hillsdale college, instructor and fabulous students.

[@nightowl9176]

It is pure joy to listen to Hillsdale courses. Your voice and ideas brings light and freshness to our murky present 🙏❤️

[@TravelingPhilosopher]

Aristotle is one of the greatest philosophers/thinkers in recorded human history! This video was very wel made and I would like to watch the entire series

[@calebjaimes4082]

I like this style of lecture and how it's laid out physically. Idky, but it reminds of the Last Supper. Gives me vibes of how Aristotle would have taught

[@dalemcnamee2427]

Excellent video ! Hillsdale is currently offering an online course on Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics and I have signed up for it...

[@valentineanastassiou3411]

Thank you Sir for this exceptional introduction and analysis of Nichomachean Ethics. With your teaching you make a vast contribution to the Good in the world. I wish I was one of your students in that privileged class!

[@CMBradley]

Great content from a great college. Thanks for sharing this.

[@travissutton2667]

I like the humility of the girl who knew Greek the whole time and was letting other people have a chance to answer

[@adamalvarez4528]

Great class, can’t wait for the next video

[@OH-pc5jx]

This is unnervingly well-shot for a class lol

[@danielhickmott5800]

Aristotle's point...excellence in all we do.

[@CaesarInVa]

Splendid video. Can't wait to see more.

[@marianbarchilon815]

Nichomachean ethics. A great book. Taught much of this in my classes.

[@constatinexipalaeologus507]

Listening to Hillsdale college is incredible and a great source of information

[@marioknowsitsgod1506]

Constatine XI P. Yes A great source of information for white people black or anything other than white is not considered Citizen by law

[@Siel-bm7gx]

Yes, it is. I wish i learned this in highschool.

[@orcvsivstitia7608]

Im a nanosecond in AND HOLY SMOKES WHAT AN AMAZING TEACHER

[@khaledur2023studying]

thank you for this video.

[@mcnallyaar]

I started reading the Ethics with a book group that came together after watching John Vervaeke's lecture series "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis." I think this book is already changing my life.

[@Dancing77Kat]

Thank you so much. You very concisely made your point. This was very helpful.

[@kelvinkj7074]

thank you for making and sharing this.

[@jeffsatterthwaite9874]

Thank you so much for producing rhis video! I have been try8ng to wrap my mind around an Aristotilian proof for the existence of God and this was helpful. God bless you and your ministry.

[@paulrevere2379]

"The body has no fear of eternal consequences." - John Calvin All other animals have bodies, just like we do, but they have no soul and no fear or thoughts regarding eternity. They live in the present and when they die they will simply be gone. Some people live only in a type of present, living only for the good of their mortal life, but when they die, they will not be ended; they will be judged.

[@user-oi1of2rg6f]

What amazing insights..Thank You Peace, Love, & Light Always

[@pjterryg5689]

Have to thank Mark Liven for turning us on to Hillsdale College!

[@ssamiuddin1]

Gotta love the dig at public TV at 10:15 (hah hah hah)

[@nextbars]

Impressive work, I don't get how a stupid music video have more views that this, no wonder we lost our ethical value as a society in general. Thank you for the content, from a small country Guatemala!

[@claraueltschi409]

from bolivia

[@DanielBowens]

I get your comment is two years old, but I find your comment counter productive and a little bit ironic especially considering the topic that is being covered here.

[@2Oldcoots]

Wonderful!

[@laaoheing2862]

It is really good to learn from your discussion. Thanks All....!

[@TheDoctor1225]

Although it may sound like something juvenile, there is a book that I own and appreciate more each time I re-read it that uses superhero archetypes to introduce the different types of ethical systems. The book is called "The Virtues of Captain America," and I would definitely recommend it as a companion - NOT as a replacement by any means - to this course and the others. It's a good way, I have found, to introduce these ideas to people who may not be familiar with them by using more familiar imagery and thereby pique their interest.

[@robschade5786]

This is a fantastic class. Going through it for the second time.

[@AnubizCoyote]

Dude.... overall, i love your videos and your passion. Thanks for making me feel like i was part of the class . Not only you're a professor but also a very good teacher.

[@kirkbowyer3249]

“Let us again return to the good we are seeking, and ask what it can be. It seems different in different actions and arts; it is different in medicine, in strategy, and in the other arts likewise. What then is the good of each? Surely that for whose sake everything else is done. In medicine this is health, in strategy victory, in architecture a house, in any other sphere something else, and in every action and pursuit the end; for it is for the sake of this that all men do whatever else they do. Therefore, if there is an end for all that we do, this will be the good achievable by action, and if there are more than one, these will be the goods achievable by action.” Aristotle; Nicomachean Ethics; Book I. Section 7.

[@sowhardhrai2451]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@anamneses28]

Don't give me reparations. Give me a scholarship to Hillsdale and don't short me. I want enough to take me through the doctoral program. 💗💗💗

[@gezefreitas]

Congrats for your way of thinking

[@ChinetaDavis-ud8zn]

Reparations are owed to descendants of American Freedmen. If I want to buy a Hillsdale education I will be free to or I may want to buy it from another institution. Free will and time is what Repair, Restitution, Reparations consist of and will allow me to buy.

[@loucrateseveryman5006]

Me: 15+ minutes on one sentence, I want to learn from this man... Wise Man: ...we spent 6 weeks on that one sentence. Me: Did that just happen?

[@andrew_owens7680]

Well we spent 60 years. Never got to the second sentence.

[@rangatempest]

@Surfing with Aristotle This is true, and it is not about all discussion. It's about the actions that the agent ought to do. Wisdom is futile if never applied.

[@CATherine001]

I love these lectures and my inner youth would have loved to be at Hillsdale college. Breaking down the words in each paragraph….

[@aze216]

What a great learning environment. Very informative and thought provoking. I was reminded of the shooting of the Viet Cong prisoner by Brig. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Loan being an example of a murder that wasn't all it appeared to be.

[@DavidUrbinaFitness]

Excellent introduction in two the characteristic of human behaviour ✒

[@hossskul544]

To: 31 “How best to live“ What do you mean by that? How best for just you to live? How best for you and your family to live? How best for you ,your family and the community to live? This is why we need people like Jordan Peterson who break these things down and dive into the assumptions and presuppositions .

[@dom3n1koo]

What

[@cdub531]

Larry Arn is a brilliant communicator.

[@khaledur2023studying]

happy doesnt mean pleasures. pleasures can be good or harmful. depending on character.

[@andrewmccullough559]

He doesn't say happy equates to pleasure -- that is a view Aristotle explicitly rejects. The goodness or harmfulness of pleasure depends more on its object. So, for example, moderate pleasure in a good thing, like food, is good. Pleasure in a bad thing, like the suffering of others, is bad.

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

_the clearest introduction to Aristotle was written by Jacob Klein, founder of St John's University. You will find it in his Lectures and Essays book. this is the man who single-handedly opened up the world of ancient Greek learning._ _I find the current teacher's bedside manner aslant_ _thanks for the upload_

[@SisterShirley]

The 'teacher' is none other than the Distinguished Dr Larry Arnn President of the Great Hillsdale College I'm curious, in your opinion, in which way or ways does the Dr's teaching appear to lean?

[@samaranasamuel5116]

I like how the professor explained what they read, I wish he was my professor

[@karrisajoss4271]

This is an excellent subject🤗🤗

[@someonethirsty1957]

Good is a resource that furthers an individual’s goals for any given system.

[@stephenstanley79]

thanks for sharing.

[@perpetuallearner8257]

Wow it's super beautiful 😍❤️

[@monicanixon5140]

I'M SPARKED: How would this discussion go down with the Torah or the Bible covering specifically the 10 Commandments?

[@johnosborne1873]

This was incredible

[@whattowatchrightnow]

The female readers voice is pleasant. It reminds me of my wife voice when we were young.

[@JSomerled]

Outstanding… love it

[@jeremiahbarlow1924]

These are beautiful looking young people in this class! One would have to already have a beautiful spirit to even arrive at this very class, and that at Hillsdale College. I want to send my children there!

[@SKF358]

"The good ones get promoted," he says, regarding the inpact of ethics. I haven't seen that. Instead, the most compliant, soulless bean counters get promoted.

[@raymondfrye5017]

Reality versus Illusion

[@danielhickmott5800]

2:50 - Caveat: In any just situation.

[@yankeesuperstar]

Nice!

[@nathanngumi8467]

Very enlightening!

[@nelfi11]

Thank you. ❤ this

[@Yay_you]

This is Stoicism at it's best💖💫👊🏽💪🏽

[@egymenez4809]

Thanks for sharing

[@mcnallyaar]

Every choice I make from moment to moment makes a mark on my character.

[@khaledur2023studying]

all of our actions are directed at some good... all them are direct at the Good. good comes in hierachy.

[@michaelgarcia2973]

At this moment i'm reading The Nichomachean ethics by Aristotle and i listen to Ralph Vaughn Williams Sinfonia Antarctica for inspiration.

[@chuimataisinglai8235]

Thank you so much Learn alot

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Thanks so much! “You work, and depending upon your character, the good ones get promoted.” 😂 I would love to live in that world.

[@alfredhitchcock45]

Art - Technical Knowledge- craft - techne - making Designed and executed according to skill and purpose Inquiry - more than a question Praxis - practice Choice -picking between alternatives Choice is at the center of building character Greatest self help book ever written Some good Perceived good 1. I didn’t do it 2. I did it because of some good Many good Every time you make a choice, it places a mark on your soul, and it makes what you are Some Good vs The Good Goods are arranged in a heirarchy Being at work Ends - purposes- telos - telescope Bridle making leading to victory Highest good - pagan thought Beatitude - Christian thought - seeing a complete and ultimate perfection You start to learn to to look at the universe vertically Things point up

[@hayzelwashington6354]

I like what I'm hearing this is my first time on here I wouldn't say it's the greatest book ever is one of the greatest books there are some good books out there that talks about ethics

[@khoido5308]

Ethics is a response and performance of individual to the good base on the good itself that endowed in the soul of every man or woman created

[@kirkbowyer3249]

"The first person you have to lead and discipline is yourself." Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore

[@onefugue]

It seems to me that one's character and virtue are related to one's "way of being" in the world. For example, being insecure can be a way of being that someone has, such that they are a defensive upset waiting to happen. I've been that! And we've probably all seen people like that. Likewise with virtues like courage and honesty. If we have them as a way of being, they are constantly ready to manifest given the right circumstances. This makes me wonder about the connection between character (as conceived by Aristotle) and Heidegger's concept(s) of dasein and mood.

[@andrewmccullough559]

That is an interesting question, although 'character' and 'mood', in its colloquial sense, are not that similar (I am not familiar with Heidegger's 'dasein'). Mood is precisely that which is more emotional in nature and can change a few times in one day. I am not especially moody but today alone I had at least two big mood swings. Temperament is more stable than mood, like a property of the person from their birth and emerging in early experience, but still falls short of character in that it deals with very general tendencies. For example, a melancholic or depressive is very general. Each temperament has strengths and weaknesses, but all are compatible with good character if they can be corralled and utilized for good. Character, per its etymology as something like a deep mark in us, does not change so readily as mood, although it can and should improve over time. It is no wonder to me, in an age dominated by sentimentality and the emotional saturation of subjective experience, that character is talked about so little. You say the word now and nobody knows what to think. And yet character is precisely that deep tendency in us to act for the good, even in spite of an unhelpful mood.

[@goinsouth051]

I took this course and found it was very interesting. I love the quality of the presentation of the courses done online At Hillsdale. they make it so interesting and fun to learn. I Definity will take more courses from them in the future.

[@luizclaudio6724]

I love how diversity is expressed.

[@kirkbowyer3249]

So much, then, makes it plain that the intermediate state in all things to be praised, but that we must incline sometimes towards the excess, sometimes towards the deficiency; for so shall we most easily hit the mean and what is right. Aristotle; Nicomachean Ethics; Book II. Section 9.

[@butchkelso7603]

Philippians 4:8 The Hill School motto. Profound verse.

[@kyawzayyarlwin8003]

thanks from Burma

[@kirkbowyer3249]

"That moral excellence, then is concerned with the pleasant and the painful is clear. But since the character, being as its name something that grows by habit - -consider, then, character to be this, viz. a quality in accordance with governing reason belonging to the irrational part of the soul which is yet able to obey the reason.” Aristotle; Eudemian Ethics; Book II. Section 2.

[@paulrevere2379]

One key to my philosophy is the ethics of manskills. A Manskill has three elements. 1 - It requires Thought 2 - It demands Effort 3 - It produces some Good Manskills are rooted in man being made in the image of his creator. We cannot fully understand what it means to be made in God's image while in this mortal and time constrained realm which we live in, but we can do a great deal with whatever little knowledge we can discover on the topic. It is evident that God set man apart from the rest of creation and one profound, possibly critical, aspect of that was God putting into man a devine spark or sacred fire which is a reflection of God's own character. This sacred fire is clearly seen and possibly never more beautifully seen in man's ability to create. No other creatures have this ability. I would contend that not even the angels truely have it. The exercise of man's creative ability can be idealistically summarized as manskills.

[@paulrevere2379]

It is important to note, because we live in a fallen world, that the ability to do good, to glorify God aright, to exercise upright dominion and good stewardship has all been perverted. The natural man (man's new fallen nature) is not to do good from upright motive although a man might do great good, motive notwithstanding. No one who knows the basic condition of man should be surprised by any of man's resistance to doing genuine good, his cruelty to fellow men, or his perversions against his better nature. The surprise rather is that unregenerate men demonstrate any restraint of cruelty at all, such that they even appear to endeavor to do great good things at times. This is God's mercy, for while men have utterly forsaken to worship God, God has not utterly forsaken man.

[@jeremiahbarlow1924]

You are not what you think you are, but what you Think, You ARE! Your choices make you!

[@kirkbowyer3249]

"But people of superior refinement and of active discipline identify happiness with honour; for this is, roughly speaking, the end of the political life. But it seems too superficial to be what we are looking for, since it is thought to depend on those who bestow honour rather than on him who receives it, but the good we divine to be something of one's own and not easily taken from one." Aristotle; Nicomachean Ethics; Book I. Section 5.

[@karelvorster7414]

You are not free to choose but choosing can make you free.

[@vasilisvat7931]

“Beautiful”, there are two Greek words describing this meaning. The first is “Oreo” which mean at the “right time”. The second is “omorfo” which mean at the “right shape”

[@marksinger2360]

I love reading and teaching Aristotle, but I find doing so without engaging with and challenging his political and social elitism to be a great disservice to learning (and pretty much part and parcel of Hillsdale). Great class, though-no dark ones in sight!

[@constatinexipalaeologus507]

I'd love to learn Latin and Medieval or Byzantine era Greek but circumstances brought me to a intellectually dead-end small town where other than online I can't get sources in these ancient languages. Our library is fantastic for a Podunk town but still not adequate. Hopefully I'll be moving but I love Hillsdale college which is far superior to the state universities where I earned my BA & MA is fantastic !

[@dannym6552]

please move, live a full life, get a job, take classes that you love, don't get stuck, the longer you wait the nice the cage will seem. you always have a choice

[@michaelhenton159]

Am I the only one who became slightly embarrassed that he just expected these people to speak Greek? Extremely humbling,