Paper details:
In approximately 2,100 (twenty-one hundred) words, answer the prompt: How does Aristotle show that facts about our nature reveal facts about the character of human happiness? Evaluate his approach to discovering the character of human happiness and/or his conclusion. Some relevant texts include, but are not limited to: (Nicomachean Ethics – EN 1.7; EN X 6-9.) In this longer paper on Aristotle’s ethics you must also incorporate a substantial discussion of the ethical views of at least one Hellenistic school (Stoics, Epicureans, or Peripatetics). How you do this is up to you. You can look to the Hellenistic schools for alternate views that you find more plausible (and you can find them more plausible while ultimately disagreeing with them!), or for better arguments for Aristotelian views, or for concrete and compelling objections to Aristotle (that maybe you think succeed, or ultimately fail.). Just be sure to explain always why you are appealing to the views of the other school(s). And do not lose sight of the component of the essay that asks you to state and defend your own stance. You are also encouraged (but not strictly required) to make use of Aristotelian, Stoic, or Epicurean physics, metaphysics, epistemology, theology, etc. (i.e. anything from outside ethics) to deepen your discussion of their ethical views. I have also added this link: http://files.libertyfund.org/files/903/0328_Bk_SM.pdf which is the PDF version of the book (Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics) for referencing.
