Abstract

Aristotle is counted among the great ethical theorists. But it is not at all clear what kind of ethical theory he is developing, or whether he even has such a theory. ;In this dissertation, I examine several contemporary attempts to understand Aristotle's ethical theory. I examine the view that Aristotle is attempting to pursue a foundational approach to ethics. I then consider the validity of Aristotle's central argument in the Ethics--the "function" or ergon argument. ;I argue that Aristotle is not trying to provide a naturalistic basis for ethics with this argument, but rather is arguing that the good life must be understood in terms that are not based on human nature. I argue, that is, that Aristotle thinks that the good life is activity in accordance with virtue, and that virtue is to be understood independently of human nature. ;I then go on to consider what the basis for the virtues might be. I argue that no legitimate basis can be found for the virtues, except deliberative reflection about how to achieve ends one has prior to deliberation. These ends are not adopted by a calculative reasoning process, but rather are apprehended by something akin to moral intuition. Finally, I try to alleviate modern fears about moral intuitionism by stressing Aristotle's emphasis on the closeness of awareness of morally good ends to ordinary perception.