Sounding the Abyss

An analysis of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. For the purpose of bringing hope to those suffering and struggling in this life, whether through mental illness, or drug addiction, or nihilism or otherwise. Aristotle was the first person to put forward a system of ethics, which has come to be known as virtue ethics. Which states that human morality is founded in the character of man, which is the sum of his virtues and vices. Aristotle states that man can reach his ultimate purpose, which is happiness, through virtue. I emphasize that virtue is therapeutic, that it heals damage to the soul. This is a message desperately needed in this culture for it states that happiness is achievable despite suffering.

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Episodes

The Virtue of Fortitude pt. 2

The comparison of a philosophical view of fortitude with the experiences of Jeremiah Denton, a survivor of a North Vietnamese POW camp, and Victor Frankl survivor of Auschwitz.

May 27, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7

The Virtue of Fortitude pt. 1

E006 An analysis of the virtue of fortitude according to Aristotle based on the psychological principles previously outlined in E005. Specifically considering the relevance of the relationship between the intellect and will and emotions and their bearing on the virtue of fortitude.

May 07, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Introduction to Aristotelian Psychology

E005 An analysis of the human soul and its powers for the sake of having a deeper understanding of virtue and vice

Apr 06, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 5

What Virtue Means to Me

Episode 004. I recount my experience with trauma and mental illness and drug addiction and how virtue has helped manage these afflictions. My main point is this: whatever sin or weakness or mental illness you suffer you can fight by developing the opposing virtue. For example, if you suffer anxiety, you are called to overcome it by developing the virtue of fortitude or courage.

Mar 10, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Happiness is Found in Virtue

Episode 003. Aristotle argues that man's supreme good is found in his proper function as man, that man has a proper function, that his proper function is found in the use of reason, and just as it is found in reason it is found in the use of reason well. Which is virtue. So we end with a definition of happiness which is virtue and we end with a definition of virtue which is acting according to right reason.

Feb 21, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Man's Ultimate Purpose is Happiness

Episode 002. Aristotle argues that man's ultimate purpose must be final and sufficient, that is everything is done for its sake and it is done for the sake of nothing further, and that once obtained nothing further is needed. Happiness fits this description. But what is happiness? Aristotle dismisses sensory pleasure and honor and wealth as happiness. I suggest that if happiness is our final end, because the end determines the mean, that is one wants to make a profound change to their life they ...

Feb 21, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Man Has an Ultimate Purpose

Episode 001. An analysis of the first part of book one of the Nicomachean Ethics where Aristotle argues that man has an ultimate purpose. He argues that man acts for a purpose or toward an end, that man acts for multiple ends, that these ends are subordinated to each other, that this series of subordination cannot proceed to infinity, therefore man has a final end, or an ultimate purpose.

Feb 21, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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