Nicomachean Ethics

Structure and Organization

Aristotle's «Nicomachean Ethics» consists of ten books, each dedicated to different aspects of ethics and virtue. In the first book, Aristotle introduces the concept of the highest good and discusses the purpose of human life. The second book focuses on character virtues and explains how they are formed through habit. The third book examines voluntary and involuntary actions, as well as the virtues of courage and temperance. The fourth book continues the discussion of virtues such as generosity and magnanimity. The fifth book is dedicated to justice and its various forms. The sixth book explores intellectual virtues, including wisdom and prudence. The seventh book discusses weakness of will and vices. The eighth and ninth books are devoted to friendship, its types, and its significance in human life. The tenth book concludes the work with a discussion of pleasure and happiness, as well as the role of the contemplative life in achieving the highest good.