CHAPTER IV

ARISTOTLE’S PHILOSOPHY OF MAN

Aristotle
• One of the “big three” in ancient
Greek philosophy, along with
Socrates and Plato.
• Best-known as “The Author of
Ethics”.
• Student of Plato
• Founder of logic
• Create a comprehensive system
of western philosophy including
morality aesthetics, logic,
science, politics and
metaphysics.
• Man is Reason

“Man is a composite nature of body and soul, mind and matter, sense and
intellect, passion and reason.”

-by Aristotle

Man and Reason

 It is reason that elevates man far over and above brute creation.

 It is reason that makes man resemble the Supreme Reason that rules and guides the destinies
of individuals and nation.

 It is reason that leads all things to their proper ends.

Aristotelian Rationalism
-the theory upholding the hegemony of reason in man.

The Whole Man

 • The full realization and actualization of all man’s powers and potentialities.
• Man, fully developed, becomes MAN, THE WHOLE MAN, through
Philosophy.

Aristotle Theory of Contemplation

• Is down to Earth; it begins with sense perceptions of the things around us,
combines observation within reflection and meditation.

• It is said that a man constantly living a life of contemplation and habitually

uniting himself with the external realities will never “age or die”.

Contemplation vs. Idling

• Is a human activity ,the individual human mind and will commune with the
universal ,eternal verities and thereby become universal by participation
and communion.
• Means having ample free time which can be made most precious for the
creation of the best thoughts by the best minds in their best moments.

MAN’S PERFECTION AND HAPPPINESS

The Theory of knowledge of Socrates

It is gained not merely for knowledge sale but is to be used for the betterment of
oneself.

Philosophic mind of True Knowledge

It is wisdom which means, in turn, knowing and doing what is best for you, for the
attainment of your own perfection and happiness.

Happiness
 “It is the fruit of virtuous living, the constant and proper exercise of reason in all man’s
actions and endeavors.”

 “It is the rationally organized activity of the whole man.

-by Aristotle
 Happy Life vs. Unhappy Life
• Is a well-ordered one, guided by and lived in accordance with reason.

• Is a disordered life dominated by passion and the lower nature of man.

The Ruler should be the Philosopher

“The RULER of the state to run affairs of the government, to lead the citizens to the
attainment of their goals should be the PHILOSOPHER.”

“Until the rulers are philosophers and the philosophers the rulers”, the states will never rest
from their evils.”

-by Aristotle

Critical Evaluation and Appreciation

• Aristotelian rationalism has greatly influenced man’s thinking in

practically all fields of human learning and aspirations.

LOGIC
-the science and art of correct thinking, a system of rules for right reasoning
which dominated man’s thinking.

ARISTOTLE
-founder of Logic

Theory of the Golden Mean

• is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other
of deficiency. For example courage, a virtue, if taken to excess would
manifest as recklessness and if deficient as cowardice.

• Aristotle counsels us to avoid extremes, the two “too’s” (too much and too
little)
 • It stated that truth and virtue are found midway between two false and
vicious extremes. AVOID EXTREMES, PRACTICE MODERATION.

Example:

Overeating is not good-results in indigestion.

Eating too little or not eating at all injures the health.

Feedbacks on the Theory of the Golden Mean

• Happiness and virtue consists in the cumulative accomplishment of
developing and growing out the best potentialities of man.
• It envisions as occupying the summit of the mount of perfection that
lies between two precipitous, ravines (extremes, errors, faults,
vices).
• It aims to evaluate the common place, the ordinary activities of man
to virtuous heights by constant striving of moral excellence for one’s
own perfection and happiness.