PROMPT: IDENTIFY A BAD HABIT THAT IS PREVENTING YOU FROM FLOURISHING BETTER. ATTEMPT TO BREAK THIS BAD HABIT USING STRATEGIES FROM EITHER ARISTOTLE’S NICOMACHEAN ETHICS OR EPICTETUS’ ENHIRIDION/MANUAL.

ARISTOTLE OPTION: YOUR JOURNAL MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS—PLEASE INCLUDE EACH OF THE THREE SECTION HEADINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL (1. GOALS; 2. BAD HABIT JOURNAL; 3. CONTEMPLATION)

1. Goals (2 paragraphs)

• First, identity the bad habit that you want to break and describe in detail the virtue that you must master in order to do so. Address the following questions:
  • What are the extremes? Where is the mean?
  • How is this bad habit harmful to your flourishing?
  • Why is this virtue required for eudaimonia?
  • Give real world examples for this virtue—SHOW us where the mean is.
  • (If Aristotle did not include this virtue in his list, then explain this new virtue: describe the mean and the two extremes as well as which emotions you are balancing with this virtue.)
  • (This first step is crucial because you are setting CLEAR goals for yourself. Show us what desires are in accordance with right Reason.)

• Second, identify two (2) specific lessons and strategies from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics that you will use to break this bad habit. Address the following questions:
  • Identify your moral weaknesses and triggers for vice
  • What is your plan for avoiding akrasia (Books VI-VII)?
  • (Optional) What else might help you achieve your goals? (an app perhaps?)
  • How will you find the mean? By what standard will you determine it? (Books II-IV, VI-VII)
  • (Plan it out: What Aristotelian strategies will help you cope and maintain steadfast in your quest for higher virtue?

1. Bad Habit Journal (7 paragraphs)

• Keep a journal for one full week (7 consecutive days) that includes a daily summary of how you are working to break this bad habit. Write a paragraph for each day (5-7 sentences), outlining your successes and struggles.
  • Did you keep to your plan? Are your strategies working? Why/why not?
  • What can you do better next time? What adjustments do you need to make?
  • Are you gaining new insights into yourself?

1. Contemplation (500 words)

• Lastly, write a critical self-reflection of your struggle to break this bad habit. Some good topics to contemplate are:
  • Were you successful overall?
  • What strategies helped you achieve your goals? Which didn’t help?
  • Are you flourishing more than you were a week ago? Why/why not?
  • What did you learn about yourself and The Good Life in this process?

  *TOPIC 1 GUIDELINES

  • Follow length requirements in the section headings above
  • MLA format: 12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins
  • This is not a research project—no outside sources—only the class text is allowed
  • Don’t cite from my PowerPoint slides—cite the text instead
  • Avoid long quotes to fill space
  • Cite Aristotle either using the standard line numbers + in-text citations or the page numbers from the assigned edition of the text
    • (Aristotle 1135a5) or (Aristotle 135) are acceptable citations

  FILE FORMAT:Canvas only accepts the following file formats: doc, docx, pdf, txt, and rtf (Google docs and Pages files won’t work). Also, Canvas will not process file names that include special characters or dashes. If Canvas doesn’t accept your file, then I can’t grade it. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Submitting this assignment to Canvas will check for plagiarism and originality through Turnitin.com. Don’t plagiarize or buy essays online—it’s not worth it. I report all instances of plagiarism to the Honor Council.

  EPICTETUS OPTION: YOUR JOURNAL MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS—PLEASE INCLUDE EACH OF THE THREE SECTION HEADINGS IN YOUR JOURNAL (1. GOALS; 2. BAD HABIT JOURNAL; 3. CONTEMPLATION)

• Goals (2 paragraphs)
  • First, identity the bad habit that you want to break and describe in detail the negative passion (pathos) that you must banish in order to do so. Address the following:
    • To which good passion (eupatheia) will you assent instead?
    • How is this bad habit harmful to your flourishing?
    • Why is mastering this passion necessary for avoiding suffering and reaching ataraxia?
    • Give real world examples for this virtue—SHOW us where the mean is.
    • (This first step is crucial because you are setting CLEAR goals for yourself. Show us what desires are in accordance with right Reason.)
  • Second, identify two (2) specific lessons and strategies from Epictetus’ Enchiridion/Manual that you will use to break this bad habit.
    • You must select two (2) different passages from the text—passages are numbered
    • Explain the Stoic lesson or strategy from each passage—why is this important?
    • Identify your moral(i.e. intellectual) weaknesses and triggers for vice
    • How will these two passages help you avoid suffering and negative emotion?
    • (Optional) What else might help you achieve your goals? (an app perhaps?)
    • (Plan it out: What Stoic strategies will help you avoid suffering and maintain steadfast in your quest for higher virtue?)
• 1. Bad Habit Journal (7 paragraphs)
  • Keep a journal for one full week (7 consecutive days) that includes a daily summary of how you are working to break this bad habit. Write a paragraph for each day (5-7 sentences), outlining your successes and struggles.
    • Did you keep to your plan? Are your strategies working? Why/why not?
    • What can you do better next time? What adjustments do you need to make?
    • Are you gaining new insights into yourself?
• 1. Contemplation (500 words)
  • Lastly, write a critical self-reflection of your struggle to break this bad habit. Some good topics to contemplate are:
    • Were you successful overall?
    • What strategies helped you achieve your goals? Which didn’t help?
    • Are you flourishing more than you were a week ago? Why/why not?
    • What did you learn about yourself and The Good Life in this process?