According to Aristotle, we should begin ethical inquiry by specifying:


1)which things are intrinsically valuable.
2)the aim of human life.
3)what our fundamental duties are.
4)what constraints on behavior it would be reasonable to agree to

1)which things are intrinsically valuable.

to do fundamental duties

According to Aristotle, we should begin ethical inquiry by specifying three things:

1) The aim of human life: Aristotle believed that ethical inquiry should start by determining the ultimate goal or purpose of human life. He argued that the highest goal of human life is to achieve eudaimonia, often translated as "flourishing" or "the good life." Understanding and defining this aim helps guide ethical reasoning and decision-making.

2) What our fundamental duties are: Aristotle emphasized the importance of virtues and character traits in ethical inquiry. He believed that individuals should cultivate virtues, such as courage, honesty, and generosity, as part of their moral duties. Defining these fundamental duties provides a framework for living a good and fulfilling life.

3) What constraints on behavior it would be reasonable to agree to: Aristotle recognized that ethical inquiry should also consider the social and communal aspects of life. He proposed that ethical principles and behaviors should be evaluated in light of what would be reasonable and justifiable to others. Identifying the constraints on behavior that are acceptable and agreed upon by society helps establish a moral framework for ethical decision-making.

Therefore, according to Aristotle, ethical inquiry should begin by specifying the aim of human life, determining fundamental duties, and identifying reasonable constraints on behavior.

According to Aristotle, the correct answer is 2) the aim of human life.

To arrive at this answer, one should be familiar with Aristotle's approach to ethics. In his ethical theory, Aristotle believed that the purpose of human life is to achieve eudaimonia, often translated as "flourishing" or "the good life." Eudaimonia is the ultimate aim that all other ethical considerations are derived from.

To understand Aristotle's view, one can follow these steps:

1. Familiarize yourself with Aristotle's ethical theory: To begin the inquiry, it is important to have a general understanding of Aristotle's ethical philosophy. His philosophy emphasizes the pursuit of virtue and character development as central to human flourishing.

2. Identify the central concept of Aristotle's ethics: In Aristotle's view, eudaimonia is the highest aim of human life. It refers to a state of overall well-being, happiness, and fulfillment that comes from living in accordance with one's virtues and functioning as a rational being.

3. Compare the options: Now that we know the central concept is the aim of human life (eudaimonia), we can evaluate the given options. Out of the four choices, only option 2) directly relates to identifying the aim of human life. The other options pertain to different aspects of ethical inquiry but do not address the ultimate purpose of human existence.

4. Choose the correct answer: Based on Aristotle's perspective, the correct answer is 2) the aim of human life because it aligns with his emphasis on eudaimonia as the ultimate goal in ethical inquiry.

By following these steps and understanding the fundamental principles of Aristotle's ethics, one can correctly determine that the aim of human life is the starting point for ethical inquiry according to Aristotle.