In this thesis, I am investigating the nature of e[rwV (eros) and filiva (philia) in Plato
and Aristotle. I have confined this project to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (EN) and
Metaphysics, with a background discussion of Plato's Symposium and Phaedrus. I will
argue for the following claims. First, Plato's Symposium poses a dilemma with respect
to the object and nature of e[rwV. The dilemma is that the objects of e[rwV must be either
particular individuals or the Beautiful itself. Second, Plato's Phaedrus may be seen as
Plato's attempt to solve the dilemma by giving a synthesis: e[rwV is a virtuous maniva
and should be directed to particular individuals en route to the Beautiful. However,
another problem arises; viz., given Platonic metaphysics, it is difficult to see how the
lovers can genuinely love one another in and of themselves when the ultimate object of
love is the Form of Beauty. Third, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics sees e[rwV as an
excess of filiva. ErwV in human relationships must be avoided because it is seen as
something bad and irrational, even though it is not a vice. The account of e[rwV and
filiva in EN may be seen as Aristotle's attempt to propose another kind of solution to
the dilemma by escaping the horns, i.e., by deprioritizing e[rwV in favor of filiva with respect to achieving the virtuous life. Fourth, this negative view of e[rwV does not
appear in Metaphysics L. In 1072b3-4, Aristotle writes that the Unmoved Mover
moves all things as being loved (wJV ejrwvmenon). The best interpretation of the phrase
wJV ejrwvmenon is that the Unmoved Mover moves all things by letting them follow their
nature. There is a shift of emphasis in Aristotle's philosophy from e[rwV to filiva,
which brings another dilemma with respect to the objects of filiva, namely between
filiva for particular individuals and filiva for the good. I will not try to solve the
dilemma, but will try to circumscribe the issue.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/5775 |
| Date | 17 September 2007 |
| Creators | Salim, Emil |
| Contributors | Smith, Robin |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text |
| Format | 1345188 bytes, electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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