... an activity of the soul in conformity with a rational principle." There are many particulars in gaining this happiness Aristotle speaks of. The human good is the activity of the soul exhibiting excellence for ones entire life. Human excellence is the activity of the soul according to reason. We know this because of the human function. It is not just having the ability to be virtuous. It is the activity, not just possessing it. "The function of the harpist is to play the harp; the function of the harpist who has high standards is ... to play it well. It is excellence that makes men capab...

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• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... or excellence lies in that character activity. This premise gives way to the idea that the characteristic activity of anything is particular to that thing. Aristotle then claims that only human beings engage in a certain kind of rational activity, in which the function of human beings is activity of soul in accordance with reason, or at least not a part from reason. Therefore, happiness for humans is rational activity in accordance with virtue. Aristotle shows that in order ... own sake, without the thought of reproductions. And finally, the action must proceed from a firm and unshakeab...

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• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... to Dante the soul does live after physical death. It [the soul] goes on enduring and remembering the things that happen to it. You, the real you, the inner light you, never dies. You may go one. But in my view your soul dies with you. If there is a heaven, is it an unlimited hard drive that never fills up? Reincarnation is not a viable option. The belief that the soul returns into ... that whatever happens necessarily. Not only is the world such that all events are determined by prior events, but the universe is a perfect, rational whole. For all their interests in logic and speculative ...

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• Approx Pages: 21
• Grade Level: High School