This is a rendition of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics for contemporary readers. Brief, understandable pieces with a short practice to integrate the wisdom into your life. No philosophical background necessary.
In this piece, Aristotle points us to the different parts of our being. With this ends Book 1 of the Nicomachean Ethics, and we will soon continue with Book 2.
There is a part of us that is non-rational, but it still shares reason in some way. We talk about controlling ourselves and self-restraint. This is because the reasonable part of the soul exhorts the non-rational part to act in accordance with reason.
And sometimes it listens.
That the non-rational part of the soul partakes in reason in some manner is indicated both by admonition and exhortation. If this non-rational part partakes in reason then it would be better to say that there are two parts of the soul; one which possesses it in an authoritative manner, and that which is apt to listen to it.
It’s not enough to just read. You must clothe these ideas in your concrete reality. The following practice will bring some of this wisdom into your life.
Be serious about living well.
Practice:
Write an exhortation for your listening part of your soul. Make it emotionally effusive, and truly inspire it to greatness
Read the exhortation out loud. Read it dramatically, using the full musicality of the language.
Repeat the previous step daily, modifying the exhortation for maximum impact