Philosophy 103
Study questions: Aristotle, Books VIII and IX of Nichomachean Ethics
1. Aristotle claims that there are three kinds of
friendship. How does he characterize
them? How do they differ?
Which kind is superior, and why? To what extent do you
agree with his account of the best kind
of friendship? What problems might there be for
his account of it?
2. In Chpt. IX (sec. 8), Aristotle takes up the question of
"whether one ought to love oneself
or someone else most of all"
(284). How does he answer this question? What argument
does he provide in defense of this
answer? To what extent do you think this answer
provides an adequate response to
Glaucon's challenge? (How might Glaucon respond?)