Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle

The Hierarchy of Ends

In his book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that every art, inquiry, action, and pursuit aims at some good. He defines the good as "that at which all things aim."

Aristotle distinguishes between two types of ends: activities and products. Activities are what we do, while products are what we create. For example, the activity of playing the piano is an end in itself, while the product of playing the piano (e.g., a beautiful melody) is not. Aristotle also argues that the ends of different arts and sciences can be ranked in a hierarchy. The end of a master art is superior to the ends of the subordinate arts that fall under it. For example, the master art of medicine is health, while the subordinate arts of medicine (e.g., surgery, medication, and therapy) are all aimed at achieving health. Finally, Aristotle argues that the ends of actions are preferred to the products of actions. This is because the ends are what we aim for, while the products are the only means to achieve those ends. For example, the end of a medical procedure is to restore the patient's health. The product of the medical procedure (e.g., a healthy patient or a cured disease) is not as good as the end of the medical procedure itself. Aristotle's hierarchy of ends has important implications for our understanding of morality. If the ends of our actions are to be preferred to the products of our actions, then we should always strive to act in ways that achieve the highest good. This means that we should not only consider the immediate consequences of our actions but also the long-term consequences.

For example, if we are considering whether to steal money, we should not only consider the immediate benefit of getting the money but also the long-term consequences of our actions, such as the damage to our reputation and the guilt we may feel.

Aristotle's hierarchy of ends is a complex and sophisticated theory that has been debated by philosophers for centuries. However, it remains a valuable tool for understanding the nature of good and evil and for making moral decisions.

Here are some additional thoughts on the hierarchy of ends:

• The hierarchy of ends is not always clear-cut. Sometimes, there may be competing ends, such as when we have to choose between our own happiness and the happiness of others.
• The hierarchy of ends can change over time. As we grow and mature, our understanding of what is good may change, and our priorities may shift.
• The hierarchy of ends is not absolute. There may be cases where the ends of a subordinate art are more important than the ends of a master art. For example, the end of a medical procedure may be more important than the end of medicine itself if the procedure is necessary to save a life.

Despite these challenges, the hierarchy of ends remains a valuable tool for understanding the nature of good and evil and for making moral decisions.

References

Aristotle(2023).NicomacheanEthics.HayesBartonPress.https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-    999-70090