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Chapter 4 - Is Contemplation Proper to Humans?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2023

Bryan C. Reece
Bryan C. Reece
Affiliation:
University of Arkansas
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Summary

Aristotle’s theory of human happiness explicitly depends on the claim that intellectual contemplation is peculiar to human beings, whether it is our ergon (work, function, characteristic activity) or only part of it. But there is a notorious problem: Aristotle says that divine beings also contemplate. For this reason, many interpreters affirm the Divinity Thesis: Contemplation is not proper to human beings, for divine beings engage in it, too. The Divinity Thesis thwarts solving the Conjunctive Problem. Drawing on an analysis of what divine contemplation involves according to Aristotle, I argue that he rejects the Divinity Thesis. This opens the door to an account of what is proper to humans that is able to solve the Conjunctive Problem.

Keywords

Ergonhuman functionfunction argumentcontemplationprime moverunmoved moverphantasiaintentionality, Aristotles theologyAristotles cosmology
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Chapter
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Aristotle on Happiness, Virtue, and Wisdom , pp. 80 - 108
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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