Aristotle’s Function Argument: The Human Function and its ...

Aristotle¡¯s Function Argument: The

Human Function and its Peculiarity

Lawrence Edward John Evans

Supervised by Dr Fiona Leigh and Dr Elena Cagnoli Fiecconi

UCL

Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Master in Philosophical Studies

MPhil Stud

2nd September 2019

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I, Lawrence Edward John Evans, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own.

Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been

indicated in the thesis.

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Abstract

My thesis is on Aristotle¡¯s ¡®function argument¡¯. In my first chapter I explore the opening

lines of the function argument, and I investigate whether Aristotle has an argument to support

his claim that human beings have a function. I argue that Aristotle has such an argument, and

that the questions he asks are therefore rhetorical questions. In my second chapter I consider

the problem that the human function cannot be peculiar to humans in the sense of something

unique, since reason and contemplation are shared above all with the gods. I also consider the

problem that there are many activities peculiar to humans besides reasoning, and why it is

reasoning well that marks someone out as a good human being. I argue that Aristotle

understands the peculiar function of humans to be the characteristic life that only humans

live, namely an ¡®active life¡¯. In claiming that humans have a ¡®function¡¯, then, the claim is that

human beings have a particular kind of life appropriate to them, which, I argue, Aristotle

understands to include both practical and theoretical activity. In my third chapter I consider

the connection between being a good human and the human good. If the human function is a

certain kind of life that humans live, the challenge is why living well is the good for human

beings. I argue that, for Aristotle, to be a ¡®good¡¯ human just is what it means to live well as a

human, in accordance with the specifically human life, so that the good for humans is good

for them in so far as they are good specimens of their kind. Hence, in drawing a connection

between the ¡®life¡¯ appropriate to a human and ¡®the good¡¯, Aristotle means to directly show us

how human beings can live the good life.

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Impact Statement

I anticipate that my research into Aristotle¡¯s function argument, a famous argument in ancient

and moral philosophy, will be primarily aimed at having an impact inside academia. The

function argument is of central importance to Aristotle¡¯s Nicomachean Ethics, outlining the

human good and human happiness, so it is particularly important that a thorough

understanding of Aristotle¡¯s reasoning and desired conclusion is appreciated. The argument is

also particularly controversial, and a variety of problems and challenges have been raised

against it, especially since the renewed interest in virtue ethics. One of my aims in this thesis

has therefore been to clear up what I perceive as a variety of misunderstandings with certain

Aristotelian concepts like ¡®function¡¯ and the connection, in Aristotle¡¯s philosophical usage,

between a thing¡¯s function, its excellence and its good. Additionally, Aristotelian ethics is

still a major influence on contemporary moral philosophy, such as in the aforementioned

renewed interest in virtue ethics, as well as in studies of ancient ethics and ancient

philosophy. This research will therefore be of interest for contemporary moral philosophers,

as well as for scholars and others interested in ethics, Aristotle, or ancient philosophy. On the

other hand, I do not anticipate that my research into the function argument, an argument

little-known outside philosophy, will have any kind of significant non-academic impact.

Nevertheless, the function argument focuses on what it is that makes human beings human

and how to live a good life. Aristotle¡¯s Ethics also remains persistently influential on the way

in which we think about ourselves, and how we ask questions about the good life and the sort

of life we should lead. Such questions are surely of interest to many people, whatever their

academic background. For individuals, these questions can make people think about the sort

of life that they want to live, their capacity for good, and what sort of actions and decisions

they should make if they want to do good and live a good life. For the populace generally,

questions about the good life can be relevant to influencing issues on the formulation of

public policy, especially for those interested with collaborating with academics, as, for

example, in relation to issues of the quality of life. For these reasons, while I anticipate that

my thesis will be primarily aimed for academics and specialists, certain aspects will have

interest for almost everyone, which means that it has the potential to have some impact

outside academia.

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Contents

Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Impact Statement ....................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6

Chapter 1: Aristotle¡¯s Argument That Humans Have a Function.............................................. 8

An Argument by Analogy or Induction? ............................................................................... 9

The Concept of Ergon .......................................................................................................... 17

The Argument from the Crafts ............................................................................................. 25

The Argument from the Bodily Parts................................................................................... 32

Chapter 2: The Peculiarity of the Human Function ................................................................. 39

Absolute and Relative Peculiarity........................................................................................ 48

Essence ................................................................................................................................. 51

A Kind of Life ...................................................................................................................... 54

Chapter 3: Why Performing the Human Function Well is Good for Human Beings .............. 62

A Fallacy about the Good .................................................................................................... 63

The Good and the ¡®Well¡¯ ..................................................................................................... 65

Benefit .................................................................................................................................. 69

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 74

References ................................................................................................................................ 75

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