Explanation and method in eudemian ethics I.6

Lucas Angioni

doi:10.14195/1984-249x_20_8

Abstract

I discuss the methodological passage in the beginning of Ethica Eudemia I.6 (1216b26-35), which has received attention in connection with Aristotle’s notion of dialectic and his methodology in Ethics. My central focus is not to discuss whether Aristotle is prescribing and using what has been called the method of endoxa . I will focus on how this passage coheres with the remaining parts of the same chapter, which also are advancing methodological remarks. My claim is that the method of Ethica Eudemia I.6 is in agreement with many features of Aristotle’s theory of explanation as presented in the Posterior Analytics : Aristotle’s main concern is a warning against misuses of explanatory arguments.

Highlights

My aim is to discuss the methodological passage that opens Ethica Eudemia I.6 (1216b26-35)
Barnes understands that steps [i] and [ii] of T1 introduce two claims at the same level, namely, that we must rely on arguments to reach conviction on practical matters, and that we must use no 20, may-aug. 2017 Lucas Angioni, ‘Explanation and method in Eudemian Ethics’, p. 191-229
T6: “It is well to make a separate judgement about the explanandum [deiknumenon = what one is trying to explain] and the explanation of the cause, because of what was said before, namely, that there are often cases where one should attend not to the results of arguments, but rather to the people’s perceptions;; and because it often happens that what is taken to have been explained by argument is true, but not for the reason offered by the argument.” (1217a1016, Kenny’s translation modified)

Summary

Introduction

My aim is to discuss the methodological passage that opens Ethica Eudemia I.6 (1216b26-35). The passage has been recently examined in connection with Aristotle’s notion of dialectic and Aristotle’s method of endoxa. Instead of asking what the expressions “phainomena”, “martyria” and “paradeigmata” mean in this context, I will discuss how the initial paragraph of Ethica Eudemia (EE) I.6 relates to the ( important, but often neglected) paragraphs of the same chapter. This approach will help us to attain a better understanding of Aristotle’s points. The method is in agreement with many features of Aristotle’s theory of explanation as presented in the Posterior Analytics ( APo)

The text and the problem

The structure of Aristotle’s claim

Inappropriate explanations

Conclusion