***Explain Aristotle's "function argument" (Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1, chapter 7) and the role it plays in his ethical theory.
....how might he respond to this objection?
((Aristotle might respond to this criticism by first arguing that a man and the rational being inside of him are indistinguishable from one another. Then, he might further argue that if one's purpose in life is to achieve eudamonia, or happiness, then his intrinsic function lies in the pursuit of this by means of rational action. If a man's rational actions lead him to one occupation or another, then we can see that these occupations serve as a means but that they also can be considered an end in themselves, for it is the case that without the occupation that he does virtuously, a man would also be without eudamonia. ))
What do you consider the best objection to the function argument, or to Aristotle's use of it?
In my opinion, the best objection to Aristotle's function argument, or his use of it, is the one which argues that Aristotle's function argument seems to suggest that man does not have any intrinsic function, but only a function as it relates to his actions. This argument criticizes Aristotle's failure to ascertain any function of man as a man, and only addresses functions in terms of ones occupation or hobby. One might also conclude from this that man's function is like that of his limbs or organs, possessing the ability to act, but not to act rationally and therefore lacking function, according to Aristotle.
Who gets the better of this exchange? Defend your answer.
In this exchange, it appears that Aristotle emerges on top, the reason being that his critic has decided to "nit-pick" at Aristotle's support for his claims, showing that he/she does not understand or appreciate the nuances and the practicality of Aristotle's observations. In the matters of Ethics, one might not always be able to think entirely in terms of logic, because the study, the subjects themselves, and the principles are are close connected and even intertwined. And although it is important for understanding to ask such questions, it does nothing in the way of clarifying or countering Aristotle's claims.
Explain Aristotle's "function argument" (Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1, chapter 7) and the role it plays in his ethical theory.
MAN FUN RAT ACT WELL. --The "goodness" of an action can, in part, be measured by the ends it is intended to reach. --Happiness is the ultimate end. Happiness, and the pursuit of happiness, is never a means. --Man is separate from other living things in that he is a rational being and he possesses the ability to act on behalf of this rational part of himself. --((The function of man, as a rational being, is to act in accordance with this rationality. And should this rational part of him guide him to pursue something, he ought also to do it well, in accordance with virtue. Human function is RATIONAL ACTIVITY. To do good would be to do such rational activities well, or in accordance with virtue.))
