Rational Man: A Modern Interpretation of Aristotelian Ethics

by Henry Babcock Veatch

This modern interpretation of Aristotelian ethics is a natural for undergraduate philosophy courses. It is also an engaging work for the expert and the beginner alike, offering a middle ground between existential and analytic ethics.

Veatch argues for the existence of ethical knowledge, and he reasons that this knowledge is grounded in human nature. Yet he contends that the moral life is not merely one of following rules or recipes, nor is human well-being something simple. Rather, the moral life, which Veatch calls “rational or intelligent living,” is the life of practical wisdom where individual judgment of the particular and the contingent is paramount. Veatch’s Rational Man offers a pluralistic understanding of human well-being without lapsing into moral relativism.

For those interested in morality and liberty, Rational Man offers fertile ground for developing an account of free and responsible persons. It has profoundly influenced the work of Den Uyl, Campbell, Machan, Miller, Mack, and many others.

Genres: Philosophy

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Veatch was born in Evansville, Indiana. He obtained his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1937 and spent his career at Indiana University (1937–1965), Northwestern University (1965–1973), and Georgetown University (1973–1983) where he was Philosophy Department Chair from 1973 to 1976. He also had visiting professorships at Colby College, Haverford College and St. Thomas University.

Veatch was active in the Episcopal Church and served as president of the American Catholic Philosophical Association. He served as president of the Metaphysical Society of America in 1961. In 1970–71 he served as president of the Western Division of the American Philosophical Association. He was a member of the Guild of Scholars of The Episcopal Church.

Henry Veatch died in Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University maintains the archive of his collected papers (1941–1997).

Reviews

[Bakunin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has profoundly shaped my thinking about the world. In its easy-going prose Henry Veatch, a philosophy professor who has taught at Indian and Georgetown University, manages to provide a solid defense of modern day Aristotelian ethics.

The main question to be act is: given the complexities of the modern world, how should one act? Should we see life as meaningless and absurd? I have always regarded this viewpoint as somewhat absurd in itself. If I want to become a theater director then there are obviously better or worse ways to achieve that goal. Even if I am a brain in a vat or a living in a world where I can't access Das-Ding-An-Sich, I would still want to enjoy my experience as much as possible. I would still want to live a good life. Veatchs point is that we all have potential within us (which I interpret as our genes) which can be realized through living a rational life. That doesn't mean it is by any means easy. Life is more of a skill to be learned and as one grows older one sees what preferences one have which thereby makes it easier to make better decisions.

Veatch is bound to be compared to Ayn Rand given the title of the book. Both were inspired by Aristotle and both end up defending similar ideals. Reading Veatch is however more like having a pleasant conversation with an extremely well-read friend rather than facing a tough debate with a person of higher intelligence than your own.

A recommended read for anyone interested in ethics or liberty!

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first encounter with Henry B. Veatch. A good defense of Aristotelian ethics -- written around the same time as William Barrett's Irrrational Man (and with a final chapter devoted to addressing some key positions of Kierkegaard and Sartre).

Some depict this as intended for a popular audience. I found Veatch's style requiring very careful reading and extended reflection, particularly his engagement with and rebuttals of various philosophical criticisms of Aristotle. Not quite as "elementary" as, say, Mortimer J. Adler's presentation -- something I would recommend for a sophomore college student with some background knowledge and familiarity, as opposed to 'philosophy 101'.

The introduction promises "to be through and through a book of philosophy; therefore its argument must not rely on any appeals to revelation, but solely on what is known as the natural light of reason." And for the most part Veatch does stay within the purview of philosophy. However, not too surprisingly, by the end of the book one finds the frank admission that "the life of intellectual and moral virtue is no guarantee of happiness" -- that "in light of such considerations it is the part of wisdom of wisdom to acknowledge that there is another dimension of ethics, over and above the dimension of the purely human and the properly philosophical. In such a dimension one can only have faith that "the Lord is my stony rock, and my defense; my Savior, my God …". I can imagine some contemporary readers taking offense at this recognition -- but I found it refreshing.

Definitely going into my "to read again" list. I've also added his 'Aristotle: a Contemporary Appreciation'.

[Jeffrey Mervosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veatch uses rationality and the Aristotelian ethic to provide a convincing counter to the popular existentialist philosophy of the time. Veatch approaches life as the search for goodness, and approaches action as a manifestation of that search. His use of plain language and popular example (Jane Austen anyone?) makes this book a landmark achievement both for philosophers and the casual reader.

[Erik]

Recommended by James Schall in Another Sort of Learning, Chapter 13, as one of Four Other Books by Henry Veatch.

Recommended by James Schall in Another Sort of Learning, Intro to Part Three, as one of Schall's Unlikely List of Books to Keep Sane By---Selected for Those to Whom Making Sense Is a Prior Consideration, but a Minority Opinion.

[Clark D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely will reread. Existentialist refutation in the last chapter is rather interesting, and contrary to the popular times for sure. Really glad I picked this book up

[John Reis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was particularly intrigued by his treatment of the relationship between knowledge and moral error. It sounded a great deal like Rand's treatment of the same issue.