Key Terms in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

for PHIL 350: Ethical Theory

For questions contact Dr. Jan Garrett

Latest revision: October 9, 2007

Happiness (formal def in NE I)
Happiness (Aristotle's specific def in NE I)
State of character
State of thought
Moral virtue or virtue of character (defined in NEII)
Moral vice
Lying in a mean
The mean relative to us
Principle
Virtue of thought
Prudence
Craft
Necessary objects of a state of thought
Variable objects of a state of thought
Cleverness
Philosophical Wisdom
Understanding (in NE VI, where it is part of philosophical wisdom)
Understanding (in NE X)
Appearances
Function (of plants)
Function (of animals)
Proper virtue
       The voluntary
Decision
Deliberation
Acts caused by spirit or appetite
Wish
Mixed action
Involuntary action
Acts caused by ignorance
Wholly nonrational part of soul
Nonrational part of soul that shares in reason
Friendship
Coincidental friendship
Complete friendship
Friendships between unequals
Secondary happiness (distinguished in NEX 1178a9-11)
Complete happiness (distinguished in NEX)
Complete without qualification
Self-sufficient (NE I)
Process (as distinct from capacity, state, and activity)
Inquiry
Study (theoria) in NE X