From: Elizaphanian (Elizaphanian@members.v21.co.uk)
Date: Wed Oct 30 2002 - 07:45:28 GMT
Hi Peter,
I think we disagree about Aristotle.... Which is a bugbear as there is not
way we could resolve the differences in this forum. Not that I'm a big
expert on Aristotle by any means, it's just that the analysis of his
approach given by Nussbaum and MacIntyre (which are really what I base my
interpretation on) is one that I find plausible, and also one that tallies
nicely with my broader philosophical understanding, which is largely derived
from Wittgenstein (so even if my account of Aristotle is shown to fail, I
have a fallback position ;-).
It seems that we are still somewhat talking past each other with respect to
'reason' 'intellect' and 'eudaimonia'. You say that Aristotle's account of
eudaimonia is ordered by a rational methodology - I agree; clearly he's
giving a rational account of it - but it is not an 'intellectual'
methodology in the sense that I am trying to distinguish. Aristotle
specifically states: "That practical wisdom is not scientific understanding
is obvious." Furthermore, the criterion of correct choice (what I call the
'choosing unit') is the whole human being, not the Platonic disembodied
intellect. I disagree that Aristotle is inventing sociology in doing this.
> Peter: Eudaimonia is Aristotle's chosen term for arte. This is rather like
> choosing the term 'painter' for the bloke who painted the Sistine chapel?
Do you mean arte or arete?
It is a bit like that, but it's more like coming up with a common term to
describe the bloke who painted the sistine chapel, the bloke who painted the
Mona Lisa, Marie Curie and Mother Theresa.
> Peter: In this, your response to my previous posting, you have ignored my
> insistence that the good is superior to truth? You also fail to highlight
my
> insistence that truth is culturally relative.
>
You seem to be implying that we're disagreeing on this. Except that,
largely, I think we're in agreement. I'm confused.
> Peter: It is most encouraging to discover a philosopher who is so free. I
am
> happy to read this! How do you feel about my description of Intellect
> including the rational?
>
I'm very happy that Intellect includes the rational, the problem is if it is
nothing more. If we can get it to include emotional maturity, so that
'intellect' becomes equivalent to Aristotelian 'practical wisdom', and
thereby the means to eudaimonia, then we reach 'game over'.
> Peter: Personal experience getting in the way here. I prefer books and
music
> to people infected with western cultural values.
>
Which western cultural values do you object to?
> Take care,
And you.
Sam
www.elizaphanian.v-2-1.net/home.html
> Peter.
>
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