Preparing answers to these questions, along with
reviewing the material on Greek Words I and II, should enable you to answer the
questions on the final exam.
1. Explain Aristotle's 'ergon argument' for the thesis that
the best life for a human being must revolve around the exercise of (practical
and theoretical) reason. In what respects are the premises of his argument
somewhat debatable, or at least open to challenge?
2. At the outset of the Nicomachean Ethics it would appear that
Aristotle's account of the optimal human life is applicable to every person, qua rational being. But by the
time we have finished the discussion of the specific virtues in Book IV it
seems clear that the theory was intended to apply only to wealthy and socially
well-placed Greek males. Explain how this feature of Aristotle's account might
be considered either a strength or a weakness, depending on the job his theory
is expected to do.
3. Aristotle's choice of rational activity as the key
to understanding what is best in human life reflects a general tendency among
ancient Greek thinkers to single out the exercise of our mental faculties as
the key to living well. Explain this point with respect to the Pythagoreans,
Heraclitus, Socrates, and Plato, and anyone else you consider relevant to this
topic.
4. Identify the main features of an Aristotelian
science. In what respects was Aristotle's view of science an attractive and
compelling one? In what respects is Aristotles view of scientific knowledge
and method now regarded as seriously deficient?
5. 'Thus as the term "healthy" always refers
to health...so "being" is used in various senses, but always with
reference to one (pros hen) principle'. What special feature of the meaning of
'healthy' did Aristotle have in mind here? More generally, how do questions
about the ways in which words have meaning have a bearing on whether there can
be such a thing as metaphysical inquiry?
6. Describe the various ways in Aristotle's god
relates to the world (i.e. as its un-moved mover, the source of its order, and
its fully actualized and perfect form). What lines of reasoning led Aristotle
to the extraordinary conclusion there must be an eternal, living, conscious,
and continuously active mind that devotes all its time to reflecting on its own
superior nature.
7. Most of the early Greek philosophers attempted to
determine whether or not sense perception could provide us with knowledge of
the real nature of things. Explain the differing roles and degree of usefulness
assigned to sense experience by Xenophanes, the Pythagoreans, Heraclitus,
Parmenides, Plato, and Aristotle.
8. 'If we want to understand an ancient Greek thinker
it is important to know something of the history, affinities, and usage of the
most important terms he employs, rather than resting content with loose English
equivalents...' (W.K.C. Guthrie, The Greek Philosophers). Explain what would be left
out if we 'rested content' with an understanding of kosmos simply as 'world', or logos simply as 'word', or aret simply as 'virtue', or eudaimonia simply as 'happiness'.