# Nicomachean Ethics — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

- [Editor's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/editor-s-note.md): This note explains that the original margin numbers used for line references have been omitted in the ebook format, and some of Peters' notes have been rewritten accordingly.
- [Nicomachean Ethics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/nicomachean-ethics.md): Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics explores the nature of the highest good for human beings, arguing that happiness (eudaimonia) is the ultimate end of human action, achieved through a life of virtue in accordance with reaso
- [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-i.md): Aristotle begins his inquiry into the highest good, which he identifies as happiness (eudaimonia). He argues that happiness is the final, self-sufficient end of all human action and defines it as an activity of the soul 
- [The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/the-end.md): This chapter concludes the inquiry into happiness by defining it as an activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue, and transitions to an examination of virtue itself. It distinguishes the rational and irratio
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md): Aristotle introduces the concept that every action and pursuit aims at some good, and that the good is that at which all things aim. He distinguishes between ends that are activities themselves and ends that are products

> 137 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=nicomachean_ethics_se_1275kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [The Highest Good and Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [The Three Lives and the Search for the Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Critique of the Universal Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII: The Function of Man and the Final Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII: Happiness, Virtue, and External Goods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX: Happiness, Virtue, and the Human Condition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Happiness, Fortune, and the End of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [Happiness as a Final Good Worthy of Reverence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Chapter XIII: The Division of the Soul and the Foundation of Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-ii.md)
- [Moral Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/moral-virtue.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [The Acquisition of Virtue Through Practice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Chapter VI: Virtue as a Mean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII: The Mean and Its Opposites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Book III: Virtue, Choice, and the Voluntary Nature of Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-iii.md)
- [The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/the-will.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Choice and Deliberation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III: Deliberation and Choice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Chapter IV: Wish and the Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [The Several Moral Virtues and Vices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/the-several-moral-virtues-and-vices.md)
- [Courage and the Mean with Respect to Fear and Confidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII: The Varieties of Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Temperance and Profligacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Book IV: The Several Moral Virtues and Vices Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-iv.md)
- [The Several Moral Virtues and Vices—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/the-several-moral-virtues-and-vices-continued.md)
- [Liberality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Magnificence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [High-Mindedness and the Greatness of Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Chapter IV: The Mean in Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Gentleness and Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Social Intercourse and the Mean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Shame and Continence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Book V: Justice and Injustice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-v.md)
- [Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/justice.md)
- [Justice as Complete Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II: Justice as a Part of Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III: Justice as Proportion and the Mean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Corrective Justice: The Arithmetic Mean in Private Transactions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Chapter VI: Acts of Injustice and the Nature of Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII: Natural and Conventional Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX: On Suffering Injustice and Doing Injustice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Equity and Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [Book VI: Intellectual Virtues and the Unity of Prudence and Moral Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-vi.md)
- [The Intellectual Virtues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/the-intellectual-virtues.md)
- [Intellectual Virtue and Right Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Chapter IV: Art and Production](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Prudence as Practical Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Science, Prudence, Wisdom, and Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII: Statesmanship and Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX: On Good Deliberation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [On Intelligence and Sound Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-vii.md)
- [Characters Other Than Virtue and Vice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/characters-other-than-virtue-and-vice.md)
- [Chapter I: Incontinence, Continence, and the Brutal Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II: The Problem of Incontinence and Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Chapter IV: Incontinence and Its Proper Domain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Chapter V: Brutal and Morbid Incontinence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Chapter VI: Incontinence in Anger vs. Appetite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII: Incontinence vs. Profligacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX: Continence and Incontinence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Continence, Incontinence, and Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [Of Pleasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/of-pleasure.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xiv.md)
- [Book VIII: Friendship or Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-viii.md)
- [Friendship or Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/friendship-or-love.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II: The Nature of the Lovable and the Foundations of Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III: The Three Kinds of Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Chapter V: Friendship, Habit, and Living Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII: Friendship Among Unequals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Friendship and Political Constitutions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Chapter XIII: The Varieties of Friendship and the Nature of Accusations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xiv.md)
- [Book IX: Friendship, Self-Love, and the Happy Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-ix.md)
- [Friendship or Love—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/friendship-or-love-continued.md)
- [Chapter I: Proportionate Exchange and the Nature of Friendships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III: On the Dissolution and Transformation of Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Friendship and Self-Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Unanimity and Friendship in the State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII: The Love of Benefactors for Their Beneficiaries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX: The Happy Man and the Need for Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [On the Number of Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Book X: Pleasure and the Contemplative Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-x.md)
- [Pleasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/pleasure.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II: Eudoxus on Pleasure as the Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Chapter IV: The Nature of Pleasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Chapter V: Pleasures, Activities, and the Good Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/conclusion.md)
- [Happiness as the Exercise of Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII: The Contemplative Life as Perfect Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII: Happiness as Contemplation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [The Need for Law and Habit in Moral Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters