Toward an Aristotelian conception of ethical rationality

This thesis is an attempt to establish a conception of ethical rationality within the ethical framework of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. By ethical rationality I mean the most elevated level of rational activity that can be exhibited by a person of practical wisdom. In working toward this task, I first of all lay out Aristotle's general ethical system and many of the details in that system which are relevant to the thesis. I go on to specify the conditions that must be satisfied in order for the highest moral life to be fulfilled which means that practical wisdom must include deliberation plus a means by which ends can be posited. In order to satisfy this condition, I attempt to unify rational activity in Aristotle by reworking two key notions--practical intelligence and theoretical wisdom. I maintain that there is a unity of rational activity in Aristotle which encompasses both the practical and theoretical which allows the person of practical wisdom to posit ends and which moreover fulfills the conception of the ethical rationality.

Finally, I raise the question of the social legitimacy of this conception which raises the issue of paternalism. defend paternalism in light of my findings on Aristotle and maintain that the conception of ethical rationality is ultimately a political conception.