Abstract
The independence of ethics from metaphysics in Aristotle can be argued – as
Gadamer did – on the basis of: 1) the link between ethics and becoming; 2) his
“anti-Platonism”. Both issues are discussed following the idea of a prior/ posterior order (taxis) in which metaphysics is “prior” to ethics (viz. in particular Metaph. A 1-2; Eth. Nic. vi 3-6). Compared with metaphysics, ethics as a practical science is revealed to be (i) a homogeneous, (ii) true and (iii) relatively exact form of scientific knowledge (iv) based on its own principles. Despite this, it is human and in no sense “divine”, and as such less universal, “less free”/ “more enslaved”, “obedient”. A way to understand Aristotle’s position is to reconsider his complex “anti-Platonism” (with special regard to Eth. Nic. i 4), which goes towards a “moderate departmentalism”, consciously expounded against the “episodic” vision of principles, being and knowledge
of Speusippus (with reference to Metaph. Λ 7, 10; N 4).
Translated title of the contribution | [Autom. eng. transl.] Metaphysics and ethics in Aristotle. A matter of "taxis" |
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Original language | Italian |
Pages (from-to) | 55-69 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | GIORNALE DI METAFISICA |
Volume | 42 |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Keywords
- Metafisica, Etica, Aristotele, Anteriorità/Posteriorità ("taxis"), antiplatonismo, dipartimentalismo moderato
- Metaphysics, Ethics, Aristotle, Anterior/ Posterior Order (taxis), Antiplatonism, Moderate Departmentalism