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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. By their intelligent deliberations, concerning what are those who have practical judgment distinguished from others, according to Aristotle's philosophical inquiry?

2. Friendship with whom is discussed in IX.4?

3. With what is the second part of the reasoning part of the soul concerned in the view of Aristotle?

4. Aristotle says in IX.10 that too many friendships of what type are obstacles to living beautifully?

5. In X.1, Aristotle says that people educate the young by what two means?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aristotle intend to convey by comparing vice to the disease of consumption (tuberculosis)?

2. Give an example of something affirmed by knowledge, as that which cannot be otherwise than it is.

3. Through the possession of what virtue, according to Aristotle, is man said to have possession of all the intellectual virtues, at least to some degree, and why?

4. In what way, for Aristotle, do the pursuits of actions in accord with the virtues that pertain to politics and war differ from those that pertain to contemplation?

5. Explain the relationship Aristotle makes note of between affirming and denying in thinking and pursuing, and avoiding in desiring.

6. Why does Aristotle state that mothers have greater love for their children than children for their parents?

7. What is the Aristotelian relationship between happiness, the gods, human beings, and animals, as discussed in X.8?

8. Why is it that having friends in a time of one's good fortune is, in the philosophy of Aristotle, more beautiful than in other times?

9. In what way does Aristotle agree with Socrates concerning knowledge and moral action?

10. Why does Aristotle state that politics and practical judgment cannot be the highest or most serious things for man's consideration?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As one of the virtues primarily dealing with the irrational part of the soul, temperance figures centrally in Aristotle's conception of virtue. Compose an essay which analyzes Aristotle's presentation of the virtue of temperance. What part of the soul does temperance restrain? How does it restrain it? With what is temperance concerned? What stands in opposition to temperance? Why is temperance important to being a virtuous person?

Essay Topic 2

What good is understanding a particular virtue if the concept of virtue itself is not understood? Compose an analytical essay which examines the very roots of virtuosity itself, starting with the relationship between particular virtues and Aristotle's conception of it as a mean condition between two extremes. To what does virtue relate? How is that to which virtue is related suspect to extremes of excess and deficiency? What is the essence of virtue itself? What are some particular examples by which this essence is demonstrated?

Essay Topic 3

Compose an analytical essay which presents a clear thesis on some aspect of justice as Aristotle discusses it in Book V of the Nicomachean Ethics. Be sure to answer the following:

-What is justice?

-Why is justice a virtue?

-What is unique about justice as a virtue?

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