Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is often seen as a paradigm case of a 'dialectical' work, on a certain understanding of that term. The ubiquity of this interpretation is evidenced by its presence in the introductions or commentaries accompanying most recent translations of the treatise. Irwin 1999Irwin , 326-327 (cf. 1998 sets forth the view as follows:The method of ethical inquiry is dialectical, described in Top. i 1-4, 10-12. Hence it begins from common beliefs [viz. endoxa], what seems or appears to the many or the wise… He takes common beliefs as starting points because they are known (or 'familiar') to us… Discussion of these common beliefs shows that they raise puzzles, aporiai, when we find apparently convincing arguments from common beliefs for inconsistent conclusions… To solve (or 'loose' 1146b7) the puzzles, Aristotle looks for an account that will show the truth of most and the most important of the common beliefs (1145b5). This account will provide us with a principle that is 'known by nature'…because it justifies claims to knowledge. A defense of a theoretical principle shows how it vindicates many of the common beliefs (1098b9). But it does not vindicate them all. Hence a proper defense should also show why false common beliefs appear attractive and rest on explicable misunderstandings. 1 We can break down this interpretation into four claims:C1. The starting-points from which Aristotle argues are endoxa-opinions held by all or most of the many or the wise. 2
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