Aristotle

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Aristotle Questions and Answers

Aristotle said that "man is a political animal." What does that mean? Be specific: base your conclusions on the works of Aristotle.

What is the method of teaching of Aristotle  

How Does Aristotle Define Virtue?

How did Aristotle view morality?

According to Aristotle, what is the most important element in tragedy and why? What makes tragedy different from the other forms?

What are Aristotle's views on reality?

What, according to Aristotle, is a primary substance?

 Explain the role of catharsis in a tragedy?

Aristotle believed that to be an effective speaker, one must be audience-centered. This philosophy still holds true today. What did he mean by this and why is this important?

What are Aristotle's appeals?

Choose some virtue not discussed by Aristotle and present an Aristotelian analysis. Be sure to give a careful picture of what the virtue and its corresponding vices would look like.

What does Aristotle see as "the good" for man, and how does he defend this point?  Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book I 1094a- 1103a

What is Aristotle’s conception of the soul?

When Jeffrey Skilling said he liked “guys with spikes," what does that phrase mean? What would Aristotle’s theory say about whether being a “guy with spikes” is a virtue or not?

How did Aristotle's work lay the groundwork for the scientific method to develop during the 1600s? 

How does one find truth according to Aristotle?

What is an example of an emotional appeal?

What are Aristotle's contributions to the metaphysics of realism?

According to Aristotle, what is a virtue? What is Aristotle’s position on how we acquire virtue, and how we know that we have actually become virtuous?

Explain the role of hamartia and catharsis in tragedy

For Aristotle, which part of being human does not perish? Explain.

Critically examine the Aristotelian concept of catharsis.

Why could Aristotle's Virtue Ethics be said to make the world a better place?

How can character traits be defined using Aristotle's Golden Mean?

What are some of the thoughts of Aristotle?

Contrast Plato’s view on imitation (mimesis) with Aristotle’s.

How does Aristotle believe that Virtue and Excellence are related?

What does Aristotle’s “sleep-test ethics” look like, and how does it differ from the common test?

Aristotle claims that ethics has to do with finding a mean between extremes, but he also claims that some acts, such as murder and stealing, do not admit of a mean. How do you think Aristotle can make this claim without simply making exceptions where it is convenient for his view?

What is the golden mean?

According to Aristotle, what is the relationship between a thing's excellence and its good?

Where was Aristotle born?

In Nicomachean Ethics and Politics, what does Aristotle say is the role of law in society? How does law cultivate or curtail virtue? What is his definition of virtue?

What is the very best life? Briefly explain what Aristotle's answer is and what his reasoning is, then describe what you think is the best and why.

pity and fear Critically discuss Aristotle's definition of tragedy as a catharsis of pity and fear?

Is Aristotle's definition of drama still relevant? Why? Why not?

Provide one example of the usefulness of studying Aristotle’s philosophy. Either select some aspect of Aristotle’s philosophy yourself, or use his distinction between essential and nonessential properties as it relates to the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ.

Do you think comedy as a dramatic form could achieve the same effect as Aristotle's definition of tragedy?

Choose some virtue not discussed by Aristotle and present an Aristotellan analysis. The virtue cannot be accountability or forgiveness.

How was Aristotle important in western civilization?

According to Aristotle and his Nicomachean Ethics, what are the virtues and vices associated with "feelings about feelings?"

Explain Aristotle’s account of human virtue. Generally, what are virtues? How are they obtained?

Name and explain the Four Causes that Aristotle thought explained the world. Explain which of these causes a hammer's existence and which causes your own existence.

What, according to you, does Aristotle mean by "pleasure proper to tragedy"?  

Explain what Aristotle means when he says that there must be an ultimate good or end at which all acts aim.

How were animals grouped together in Aristotle's system of classification?

What is the notion of justice for Aristotle?

What importance does Aristotle accord to imitation? Elaborate.

What is matter (as understood by Aristotle)? Explain the distinction between primary and secondary matter. Why did many ancient Greek thinkers believe that primary matter is not subject to ontological change?

For Aristotle the poet is at the same time an imitator and a creator. Discuss?