Escolha deliberada na ética aristotélica : entre paixão e razão

Abstract

This research's scope intends to analyze the deliberation's concept in Aristotle's ethics and the relationship between moral and intellectual virtues, in order to understand better about Phronesis and its action on human desires and passions in the establishment of the man's character in the pursuit's path of happiness. It seems that the legacy of Aristotle's ethics for civilization considers man as a human being endowed with reason and passions, and who aspires to true knowledge, justice and, above all, happiness. One of the characteristics of Aristotelian ethics is the necessary harmony between passion and reason, so that man reaches his ultimate end, which is happiness. To do so, he needs to know how to deliberate well. There is a construction of the character of the human being, in the deliberative reason's activity, which consolidates the virtuous formation started by and for habit. This construction of character occurs through habit, on a balanced relationship with reason and passions throughout life, and, in particular, with rational action in its specific act, that is, deliberating to enable and promote the best choices and decisions. According to Aristotle, the search for truth, justice and happiness consists of a driving force of actions, ideas and desires. But, on the other hand, second to the human search for happiness, the ability to contemplate seems to be the best activity of the human being, among many others, which contains the purity and perenniality attributes. In this sense, we'd better stand out, it is pure because it derives from the intellect, pointed out as what man has best, it is the most continuous in relation to any other action. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]