Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics - Essay Example â€Å"Since we have previously said that one ought to choose that which is intermediate, not the excess nor the defect, and that the intermediate is determined by the dictates of the right rule, let us discuss the nature of these dictates.† (Aristotle) The intellectual virtues discussed in this work are distinguished between those virtues that do not change and those that change. Intelligence (nous), scientific knowledge (episteme), and wisdom (sophia) are virtues that do not change, while art (techne), prudence (phronesis), understanding (synesis) and good sense (gnome) are things that do change. In the opening section of the Book VI of The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle maintains that the proper work of a thing determines the virtue of the thing and the three things in the soul which control action and truth are sensation, reason, and desire. The author also divides the soul into two parts: a rational part (which is further divided into a contemplative part and contemplative part) and an irrational part.