Ethics notes on Aristotle/Nietzsche 3/14/02 - Jesse Billow

Aristotle - The First Biologist

Teleological - Having to do with goals, purpose, function. (Intention)

His Theory - What were humans meant to do? OR (ex. What are plants meant to do?)
1. What do humans do? (What is their characteristic activity, which sets them apart from other things?) Aristotle says Rationality
2. What do humans do best? (Compared to their other capabilities or compared to other animals?) Aristotle says Be Rational
See Rosenstad for criticism

Ideal Life / Success = Life of the mind. (ex. Life as an aristocratic philosopher - his life.)
But you also need: wealth, good looks, friends, health
Aristotle says these qualities are necessary but not sufficient without reason.

Doctrine of the mean: (apply this to all virtues)
Deficiency-----| VIRTUE |---------Excess (avoid Deficiency and Excess)

Virtue (aka Arête) - a character trait that leads to success. (Eudaimonia)
Moral habits ex. courage, generosity

Aristotle says, how do you know where the mean lies in a particular situation? (What to do?) He says, use your practical judgement, practice is required to refine skill of being a good person. How do you go from being a bad person to being a good person? Answer- try to practice those virtues.

Nietzsche
What does he mean by God is dead? Belief in God or faith in God is dead. This is untenable for the modern age of science. Doesn't make sense anymore.

Christian Morality (morality of the masses) died with God and needs to be replaced.

Ubermench is German for "Superman."

Will To Power Principle to life itself - To grow, flourish, and dominate. (Morality is molding the world to your will.)
Life is exploitation - ex. Plants exploit the environment. Animals eat other animals.

Defines people in two categories:
1. Masters (minority)
Strength, courage, intelligence, creativity, individuality
2. Slaves (masses)
Weakness, stupidity, mediocrity, conformity, cowardice (ex. Rely on religion to feel better)

Super men live by master morality.