An In-Depth Analysis Of Aristotle's Function Argument

Aristotle determined that there are certain kinds of lives that are objectively better or more Eudaimonia than others. Eudaimonia, by the Greek translation, means living well. Throughout Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle illustrates the objectivity of these lives by explaining the three types: the life of pleasure, the life of honor, and life of study. He attempts to prove objectivity with his function argument. Upon an in-depth analysis of the function argument, it is clear that Aristotle is correct in saying that there are certain kinds of lives that are objectively better than others. He argues that the life of study is the objectivity best kind of life. This paper will defend the notion that Aristotle’s conclusion is congruent with his arguments.

To begin, Aristotle claims that everything, including human beings, has a function and depends on characteristics called virtues to help complete the function well. Human virtue is the virtue of the soul. Virtues are

The lynchpin of function argument is that in some that eudemonia is to do something that is divine. Learning, according to Aristotle, is divine because it is widely spread. Also, it involves what exactly a human being’s function is. In Book 1, Chapter 7 of Nicomachean Ethics, the function of the human is to be engaged in activity according to reason. On top of having reason as a function, Aristotle claims that human function is rational activity. This is illustrated when he states, “we take human function to be a certain kind of life, and take this life to be activity and actions of the should that involve reason” (Irwin, 1999, p. 9). This highlights the essence of the life of study. The life of study is a way of living that seeks knowledge. Seeking knowledge is rational activity. Therefore, it is fair for Aristotle, to conclude that the life of study is the objectivity better type of life because of his function