*Aristotle’s relentless quest to categorize everything has had a massive impact on philosophical and scientific thinking over the last 2,000 years.

*His very rational, left-brain way of seeing is the essence of Western civilization.

*The Nicomachean Ethics (dedicated to his son, Nicomachus) is the best expression of Aristotle’s moral philosophy. It provides a recipe for the good life that is still discussed and applied today.

*The good life is one where reason is taken into account at all levels. One should act with the appropriate balance, rather than live a life of unrestrained action or bland asceticism.

*Pleasures should not be ignored, nor should they control one’s life entirely. A person should be brave when necessary, but should not put themselves into pointless danger.

*Happiness is not pleasure, but a by-product of a meaningful life, and meaning tends to come from striving and self-discipline.

*By carefully weighing each decision with the end of a good life in mind, we can all live in a way that brings the highest goal and reward: happiness.

Theme 1: Defining Goodness - 0:29

Theme 2: The Unvirtuous Life -10:14

Theme 3: The Golden Mean - 19:12

Like what you hear? Be sure to like & subscribe to support this podcast! Also leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on the episode.

You can also get a free weekly email about the Book Insight of the week. Subscribe at memod.com/insights

Want quick save-able, share-able bullet points on this book? Check out the Memo: https://memod.com/HistoryProf/what-it-means-to-live-a-good-life-according-to-ari-490/part-1

HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

ARI Campus. (2019). Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics: Happiness, Reason and the Ideal Society - ARI Campus. [online] Available at: https://courses.aynrand.org/campus-courses/history-of-philosophy/aristotles-ethics-and-politics-happiness-reason-and-the-ideal-society/.

Full Title: Nicomachean Ethics

Year of Publication: 4th century BC

Book Author: Aristotle

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://a.co/d/1g3gx0K

Book Insight Writer: Joe Aitken

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Elliott Schiff