HPhil Seminar: March 14, 2024
The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2023/24 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists while also creating opportunities to emerging scholars, aiming to promote advanced studies in groundbreaking debates and the permanent training of its academic community.
In this session of the seminar, Bjorn Wastvedt (CFUL) will present a paper, entitled “Goods simpliciter in the Eudemian Ethics“, (abstract below)
The session will take place on March 14, 2024 at 5 p.m., in the Room C201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). Admission is free.
Abstract
In this paper, I argue that Aristotle’s Eudemian notion of goods simpliciter (τὰ ἀπλῶς ἀγαθά, “goods without qualification”) refers to the set of things that are fine in themselves, namely virtue and virtuous actions. To see this, we first need to reject the common idea that what is good simpliciter is good for an agent in some normal state. I then contend that Aristotle’s divisions of kinds of goods in Eudemian Ethics VII.2 support the present proposal, as does evidence from VIII.3. The view provides a potential contrast with Aristotle’s common-book views on the matter. It teaches us about how the best person desires and adopts ends. And finally, it adds coherence to Aristotle’s assertion that the good life is the most pleasant life.
