What role do the senses play in our knowledge of objects
The Reading Assignment contains (usually) two questions pertaining to short sections of (usually) primary sources. Primary sources are the original writings of important philosophers, not textbook accounts, summaries, or expert explanations of original writings. (Expert explanations, textbook accounts, etc. are called ‘secondary sources.’) The primary sources are (usually) provided as links to free online sources. Detailed instructions identify the exact passages to read.
Please note that this is NOT a research assignment. You should NOT search for additional information on the text(s) or its author(s) or try to find ‘the right answers’ to the Reading Assignment Questions. Rather, you should ‘struggle’ with the text(s) and make sure to answer all parts of the questions completely and thoroughly to the best of your understanding.
Your Reading Assignment submission will be checked for plagiarism. See syllabus for plagiarism policy and academic integrity guidelines.
The Reading Assignment is due by the due date specified in the course calendar. Late submissions (as marked by Canvas) will result in ‘0’ points for the Reading Assignment. Please make sure to carefully follow the directions provided and adhere to the deadline specified in the course calendar.
Directions
Aristotle: Physics, Book II, Parts 1-3. (Links to an external site.) Please read Parts 1 through 3 of Book II of Aristotle’s Physics. Parts 1-2 of Book II introduce Aristotle’s notion of ‘substance’ as an entity comprised of ‘form’ and ‘matter.’ Part 3 of Book II introduces Aristotle’s notion of the ‘four causes.’
Aristotle: Metaphysics, Book I, Part 1 (Links to an external site.). Please read Part 1 of Book I of Aristotle’s Metaphysics. This short passage introduces Aristotle’s empiricist epistemology.
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Book I, Parts 1-2 (Links to an external site.). Please read Parts 1-2 in Book I of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Click on the link, and click on Book I. Parts 1-2 of Book I emphasize Aristotle’s idea that ethics is a ‘practical science’ and not – how we understand it today – a subcategory of philosophy (with philosophy itself being a ‘theoretical science’).
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Book II, Parts 1, 7-8 (Links to an external site.). Please read Part 1 and Parts 7-8 in Book II of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Click on the link, and click on Book II. Part 1 introduces Aristotle’s notion of moral virtue, and Parts 7-8 introduce Aristotle’s famous theory of the ‘golden mean of moderation.’
After careful reflection, please answer the following questions:
According to Aristotle in his Metaphysics, what role do the senses play in our knowledge of objects (‘particulars’) in the world? What role does reason play? Please be thorough in your explanation, and please provide concrete examples.
In his Nicomachean Ethics, how does Aristotle explain virtue? More specifically, what makes a character trait a good one (a virtue)? (See Part 7, Book II, for Aristotle’s own example of the virtue of courage.) Please be thorough in your explanation, and – based on your best understanding of Aristotle’s theory – please provide (at least) one example of your own (in addition to Aristotle’s).
Your response to each question should be about 300 – 400 words in length, but please feel free to be as detailed as you wish. Your responses must be written in full sentences, logically structured, using proper grammar and spelling, and appropriate style. It is recommended that you write out your answers using a word processing program and copy and paste the completed response. This will avoid loss of work in case of internet outage, etc. Always keep a backup copy of all written work.
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