Uncovering Aristotle's motivations and basic views while paying careful attention to his arguments, this introduction to the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle's great masterpiece of moral philosophy, offers a thorough examination of the entire work. The chapter on friendship captures Aristotle's doctrine with clarity and insight, and Michael Pakaluk develops original and compelling interpretations of the Function Argument, the Doctrine of the Mean, courage and other character virtues, Akrasia, and the two treatments of pleasure.--publisher description.

Reading Aristotle's 'Ethics' -- An outline of the goal of human life -- Character-related virtue -- Actions as signs of character -- Some particular character-related virtues -- Justice as a particular character-related virtue -- Thinking-related virtue -- Arkrasia, or failure of self-control -- Friendship -- Pleasure -- Happiness in outline.