A chat in the Berkshires: write a Socratic dialogue in which Aristotle attempts to persuade hobbes that the fact that humans all pursue their most recent desires and call that “good” does not mean that philosophers cannot identify a rational criterion of “good” in nature.

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A chat in the Berkshires

Aristotle and Thomas Hobbes are taking a hike in the Berkshires. Aristotle has just read Leviathan.

  • Write a Socratic dialogue in which Aristotle attempts to persuade Hobbes that the fact that humans all pursue their most recent desires and call that “good” does not mean that philosophers cannot identify a rational criterion of “good” in nature.
  • Demonstrate of knowledge of the basic positions and views of each figure.
  • Apply your understanding of their views in framing how the relevant figure might respond to the challenge of their interlocutor.
  • Demonstrate style and creativity in crafting the dialogue between the two figures.