a comparison of aristotle and st. augustine

In investigating Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics, it is important to remember that just like the Physics, it is a teleological view, not on the natural world, but on human nature, the end (telos) of which is the “good.” Everything that humans do is aimed at some end, and this end can either have intrinsic or extrinsic worth. This is to say that the acts of humans can either be done for themselves (intrinsic) or can be done as a means to something else (extrinsic). The underlying goal of all our action, Aristotle calls the “good”, but along with the “good,” comes happiness. For Aristotle, then, all humans are just trying to be happy. (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics)

The good life, then, is a life of happiness. Aristotle says such a life can be achieved by excellence (arete) in two areas of virtue: intellectual and moral. Fi

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His restless heart finally finds peace and rest in God at the end of The Confessions. It is the act of doing what is most natural for all humans to do, to reason. If Augustine finds peace with God, then he will achieve happiness. At the same time if one has achieved happiness, then one is at peace. Knowing this practical type of reason, we can now examine the theoretical type of reason, intellectual virtue. Wisdom itself meant that the one true order of the world, is what makes everything stick together. (Augustine, Confessions)

The love of wisdom is an experience that touches Augustine very deeply. It is our potential, which allows us to be motivated by the concept of the “Unmoved Mover,” towards a state of perfection or perfect happiness. He felt that if he lived in both worlds he would not accomplish anything to be remembered for and he became unhappy with the though of his life amounting to nothing. The first love must be for the love of God in Augustine’s mind. In order to achieve this state, a human, according to Aristotle, must partake in an activity that is both sought for intrinsic purposes and is in itself perfect. This is a common theme with most all the ancient philosophers and authors (especially the playwrights). The Confessions tells a story in the form of a long conversion with God. (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics)

Specifically, for Aristotle, the best way to come close to achieving the perfect “good” is to act as a seeker of truth. (Augustine, Confessions)

This is why Augustine turned to love.

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Approximate Word count = 1231
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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