Book 6 / Chapter 11
Paragraph 2 - The Convergence of States and Faculties
Explanation - Part By Part
"Now all the states we have considered converge, as might be expected, to the same point; for when we speak of judgement and understanding and practical wisdom and intuitive reason we credit the same people with possessing judgement and having reached years of reason and with having practical wisdom and understanding."
Aristotle is saying that the traits he has been talking about—judgment, understanding, practical wisdom (phronesis), and intuitive reason—are all closely related and tend to be present in the same kinds of people. These are qualities we attribute to those who are mature and wise, people who have developed the ability to make sound decisions and understand complex situations. Essentially, all these qualities contribute to a person's ability to navigate life effectively, and they seem to naturally overlap in individuals who are thoughtful and experienced. It's not random—such qualities work together and strengthen each other.
"For all these faculties deal with ultimates, i.e. with particulars; and being a man of understanding and of good or sympathetic judgement consists in being able judge about the things with which practical wisdom is concerned; for the equities are common to all good men in relation to other men."
This part explains that various qualities like judgment, understanding, practical wisdom, and intuitive reasoning all focus on what Aristotle calls "ultimates"—real, specific, and concrete situations or particulars in life. Being a person of true understanding or good judgment means having the capacity to evaluate these specific situations correctly, especially in matters involving practical wisdom, which deals with actions and decisions. Essentially, Aristotle is saying that good judgment and understanding are central to ethical living because they allow individuals to navigate the complexities of human relationships and situations fairly and wisely. The idea of "equities" here refers to fairness or justice—qualities that all virtuous people share when dealing with others.
"Now all things which have to be done are included among particulars or ultimates; for not only must the man of practical wisdom know particular facts, but understanding and judgement are also concerned with things to be done, and these are ultimates."
Aristotle is emphasizing that all actions or decisions we make in life involve specific, practical situations—what he calls "particulars" or "ultimates." These are the concrete details or circumstances in real-life situations where ethical or practical reasoning is applied. It's not enough for someone to have theoretical knowledge or general principles; a person with practical wisdom (phronesis) must understand the specific context of a situation in order to act correctly. Aristotle is saying that not only practical wisdom but also understanding and good judgment are focused on these specific, real-world situations, because they are the final, actionable points where decision-making happens.
"And intuitive reason is concerned with the ultimates in both directions; for both the first terms and the last are objects of intuitive reason and not of argument, and the intuitive reason which is presupposed by demonstrations grasps the unchangeable and first terms, while the intuitive reason involved in practical reasonings grasps the last and variable fact, i.e. the minor premiss."
Here, Aristotle is focusing on a concept called "intuitive reason" (nous in Greek), which plays a key role in thinking and decision-making. He explains that intuitive reason operates at two ends: it helps us grasp both the foundational, unchanging principles (the "first terms") and the specific, practical details we encounter in daily life (the "last and variable facts").
1. First terms (unchanging truths): These are universal, fundamental truths or principles that don't change; they form the basis of knowledge and logical demonstrations. For instance, in mathematics, "two plus two equals four" is an unchanging truth. Intuitive reason helps us understand these foundational principles directly, without needing argument or further proof.
2. Last and variable facts (specific situations): On the other hand, intuitive reason also helps us deal with particular, changeable realities—what Aristotle calls "minor premises." These are the specific details or facts of a situation that guide our actions in the real world. For example, if you're deciding the best way to help a friend who's upset, you need to understand the particular emotions and circumstances involved (a variable fact). This kind of reasoning is linked to action, not just abstract thought.
In short, intuitive reason bridges two crucial aspects of knowing: the big, universal principles we build understanding upon and the concrete, ever-changing realities we face when making practical decisions. Both are beyond mere argument or debate—they rely on a kind of immediate insight.
"For these variable facts are the starting-points for the apprehension of the end, since the universals are reached from the particulars; of these therefore we must have perception, and this perception is intuitive reason."
In this part, Aristotle is stressing the importance of starting with specific, concrete details (particulars) to understand broader general principles (universals). He argues that when we are trying to grasp ultimate truths or make practical decisions, we begin by perceiving and understanding specific situations — the "variable facts." These particular instances serve as the foundation or starting point for understanding and eventually forming a universal conclusion or goal ("the end").
Aristotle refers to the act of perceiving these particulars as intuitive reason. This isn't about logical argumentation or abstract theorizing; instead, it’s a kind of direct, instinctive understanding that helps us recognize what is true or appropriate in specific circumstances. For example, when making ethical decisions, we don't just rely on rules; we learn from specific experiences and intuitively adapt to what's right in a given situation.
So, in short: Perceiving and understanding specific facts (through intuitive reason) is a crucial step for developing broader knowledge or achieving practical wisdom.