The Highest Good in Aristotle and Kant

Description

The notion of the highest good used to occupy a primary role in ethical theorizing, but has largely disappeared from the contemporary landscape. A prima facie surprising fact is that this notion was central to both Aristotle’s and Kant’s ethical theories. Given that their approaches to ethics are commonly conceived as being diametrically opposed, it would seem somewhat unexpected that both of these philosophers should agree in assigning a significant role to the highest good. This book provides a treatment of the notion of the highest good in Aristotle and Kant and show that, even though there are important differences in terms of content, there are important similarities in terms of the structural features of Aristotle’s and Kant’s value theories. By carefully analysing Aristotle’s and Kant’s theories of the highest good, the chapters in this book shed light on their respective ethical theories and highlight the richness, complexity, and fruitfulness of the notion of the highest good. Cover The Highest Good in Aristotle and Kant Copyright Contents Note on Citations List of Contributors Introduction Summaries References 1: Determining the Good in Action The Background I Choice II Deliberation III Wish IV Determining the Good in Action V Universals vs Particulars VI A Unified Conception of Happiness References 2: The Content of Happiness I Introduction II `Happiness´ is Used in More than One Way III EN I.12 on Happiness IV Happiness is not Virtuous Action V Happiness as Theôria VI An Argument for Intellectualism? VII Conclusion References 3: Aristotle on the Highest Good I Some Introductory Claims II Some Interpretative Options III Aristotle´s Initial Discussion: EN I.1-7 (up to 1097b22) IV Aristotle´s Three-Stage Approach V Aristotle´s Next Moves VI Interim Conclusions References 4: The Summum Bonum in Aristotle´s Ethics I Preliminary Problems with Aristotle´s Anti-Platonism about the Good II Further, Preciser Problems III A Deflationary Rejoinder IV Three Arguments from Nicomachean Ethics I.6 V The Commensurability of Good Things as Good VI Conclusion References 5: `The end of all human action´/`The final object of all my conduct´ I The More-in-Common Thesis and Kant´s Ignorance of Aristotle II A Rational Life Plan III The Highest Good vs Morally Right Action IV Becoming Eudaimôn vs Making a Moral World V God´s Help? References 6: The Complete Object of Practical Knowledge I The Practical-Cognitivist Tradition: Principle as Original Knowledge of End II Bonum Supremum: Practical Knowledge as the Principle of Goodness III Bonum Consummatum: The Complete Object of Practical Knowledge References 7: The Inner Voice I The Obscure Object of Desire II Conditionality in the Highest Good III The Highest Good and Divine Agency IV Hope and Justice V Conclusions References 8: Kant´s Theory of the Highest Good I Introduction II Supreme, Conditioned, and Complete Good III The Complete Conformity of Dispositions IV Happiness Proportional to Virtue V Highest Good in a Person vs of a World VI Postulating the Possibility of the Highest Good VII Conclusion References 9: The Highest Good I The Postulates of Pure Practical Reason II The Antinomy of Practical Reason III Love Beyond the Law IV A Union of Hearts V Conclusion: Faith and Luck References 10: Why Some Things Must Remain Unknown I The Postulates of God and Immortality II The Problem III Kant´s Strategy in the Second Critique IV Taking a Stance towards Desire V Choice and the Recognition of Freedom VI The Worth of the Person and the Worth of the World VII Commands, Respect, and Moral Status VIII Knowledge Denied IX Remaining Worries References Index