The End, Aristotle

Boriana

February 17, 2000

Freshman Seminar

"The end" in terms of Aristotle

Book VII, "Politics"

Book I, "Nicomachean Ethics"

In one's life there are always goals, targets, ends. To pursue them one uses different methods, ways, means. There is a direct relationship between the two - one of them causes the other. The question is which one causes which. Is it that one sets a target and then thinks of the best means to obtain it or is it that one performs an action good or bad in itself which leads to some particular end? The organization between ends and means according to Aristotle will constitute the first part of my essay. Once this is clarified to best of my knowledge I would like to discuss what is "the end" for Aristotle.

Before starting something one has to have an idea of what one wants to accomplish, of one's end. For this purpose Aristotle starts his "Nicomachean Ethics" by evaluating the connection between ends and means: "Every art or applied science and every systematic investigation, and similarly every action and choice, seem to aim at some good... But it is clear that there is a difference in the ends at which they aim: in some cases the activity is the end, in others the end is some product beyond the activity"1.With this opening paragraph Aristotle identifies two types of ends: ones that are obtained by the action and ones that are the action itself. Thus he implies the two types of means: the teleologically valuable and the one ones worth deontologically. He does not judge them and does not claim either of them as good or bad but is important to recognize the differences. He introduces another term - "good" which is the point to which all actions should lead in their intention. Aristotle distinguishes "(1) things which are intrinsically good, and (2) things which are good as being conductive to the intrinsically good"2. One has to be fixed on the aim no matter if it is in the action or beyond. Means that are not ends are not important "for it is for the sake of the end that all else is done"3 . However, this does not diminish the attention that should be given to them: "In all arts and sciences both the end and the means should be equally within our control"4. The skill of success constitutes in firstly setting the right end, the end that will bring us closer to our absolute end, the end which we truly wish, and secondly in choosing the correct means for reaching this end, the means through which we will obtain it most securely and quickly, with least negative side effects.

Here we come to the second question: what is the absolute end? Aristotle gives two answers to this question. "In men rational principle and mind are the end towards which nature strives"5. This is the end that we set in terms of our personal development. The perfection of our being as individuals, our final virtue is to create harmony for "nature, habit, rational principle must be in harmony with one another"6. Only when these components are balanced and in cooperation will we be virtuous. Nature strives towards reason for when we are young we act according to nature but as we grow we take reason into account thus the two approaching each other to a point where they will be in harmony with themselves and with the developed habit.

Simultaneously with this end concerning who I am there is another one that concerns how I am. According to Aristotle I want to be happy. "We always choose happiness as an end in itself and never for the sake of something else."7 This is the end point of our wishes. There is nowhere beyond for it to go "for the final and perfect good seems to be self-sufficient"8. This is the firm and undeniable goal of our lives.

Philantropy and optimism gush from every idea of Aristotle. He does not deny human nature but directs it in a way that it will act for its own benefit, he does not set godlike goals to people but orients their thoughts in an earthly level, he does not accuse people of being sinful or egoistic but understanding them he makes them feel confident with their emotions and wishes. Means and ends, all pointing to happiness this is how our minds are set and we should not be ashamed by it.