r/Aristotle

I've been researching schools of philosophy and I think I realized I'm really a Neo-Aristotelian. Since my early 20s I've thought people were hardwired to value certain common things, like creative expression and meaningful relationships. I took a couple ethics classes in college, but that's about the extent of my formal philosophy education, so I've pieced this together from reading. I was never fully comfortable with the existentialists or Epicureans, even though I like them to an extent. In the past I would basically say I agreed with the existentialists that we find our own meaning, but that I think humans are hardwired to find meaning in certain common things, even though that's basically a rejection of the seeming existential assumption that we're blank slates, which we clearly are not. I've always appreciated the Epicurean recognition that humans need a sense of well-being to really flourish, but of course, even the way I said that belies the Aristotelian recognition that hedonic pleasures simply provide the nourishment for more meaningful fulfillment (eudaemonia). My discomfort with Epicureanism comes from the fact that while I think they did a pretty good job at laying out a pleasant life, it seems somewhat empty and disappointing, especially considering the internal drive I've always had to want to achieve things.

Politically, I'm economically progressive and socially libertarian. That combination isn't represented perfectly in American politics, but to be honest I've never really minded that, and I believe in doing what's actionable rather than ideal. Because of that I support the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, and groups like the Working Families Party. It seems much more actionable to be a progressive who's particularly for personal freedoms than the inverse. I bring this up because, being relatively new to Neo-Aristotelianism, I'm still getting comfortable with its political and social implications and presence. I know there are conservatives who promote Aristotelianism, but I've also heard there are Aristotelian progressives like Nussbaum, and even Marx used Aristotelian assumptions about human nature as a foundation.

I've always had an appreciation for avant-garde art, and notably for noise in music. There are certain groups in popular music that found great beauty in noise, notably The Jesus and Mary Chain, Mizmor, The Gerogerigegege, and DNA, among others. However, I don't see this as a rejection of human nature. Rather, I think these artists find particularly novel beauty by breaking from conventionality. So, while they may throw out the rules of rock music, the realities of beauty in sound persist.

I'm posting all this because this is what's been stewing in my brain, and I wanted to get your perspectives.

I am considering either the Hackett or Penguin edition for De Anima. Penguin tends to be somewhat heavy on in-text notes as well as copious footnotes, which can be nice for a first read. However, Hackett, in my mind, is largely the standard for philosophy.

Does anyone have strong opinions on this? Possibly this is a trivial matter. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Hi All,

I have recently discovered Aristotle's Virtue Theory and have begun doing some reading into it. From what I have read, I quite like this theory as it maps pretty well onto areas of my life I would like to improve. The thing that I am struggling with is putting it into practice. I realise how stupid this sounds because you need to practice being virtuous to develop the habits and so on. Where I am really struggling is with courage. I really struggle to act bravely in situations with high emotions.

For example, recently, my now ex partner and I broke up. This is something that should have occurred a while ago. But I could never get the courage to have the difficult conversation. When it did arise, I'd back track or go mute.

I suppose what I am asking is how I practice courage. I know what I need to do or say, but my body seems to block me from speaking or acting. I'd really appreciate any tips or advice for acting more virtuously for any of the virtues, but Courage is probably the one I need to start with first.

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds, and sorry if this isn't well written.