SUPER MÁRIO e a filosofia de ARISTÓTELES | O Ser e o Jogo EP #1

Summary

In this first episode of *Ser e o Jogo*, Peterson explores how Aristotle's philosophy, particularly his concepts of *telos* (purpose), virtue ethics, and *fronesis* (practical wisdom), can be applied to the iconic game *Super Mario*. By drawing parallels between Mario’s quest to save Princess Peach and Aristotle’s ideas on the pursuit of happiness, balance in actions, and moral practice, the video highlights how philosophical principles can deepen our understanding of both gameplay and life. Through this analysis, viewers are encouraged to reflect on how virtue and practice shape both ethical decisions and gaming success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first episode of the 'Ser e o Jogo' series explores the connection between Aristotle's philosophy and the *Super Mario* video game series.
• 😀 Aristotle's philosophy emphasizes that everything has a purpose or 'Telos,' and *Super Mario* mirrors this concept through Mario's quest to save Princess Peach.
• 😀 *Eudaimonia*, or human flourishing, is central to Aristotle's ethics and parallels Mario’s goal of achieving happiness through the completion of the game.
• 😀 Aristotle's concept of virtue is about finding the balance between extremes, which is reflected in Mario’s gameplay—acting neither too recklessly nor too cautiously.
• 😀 The idea of the 'just measure' in Aristotle’s ethics is linked to Mario’s need to balance actions, such as jumping at the right moment to avoid danger.
• 😀 An ethical dilemma is raised in the game: is it moral to sacrifice Yoshi to achieve the game’s objective? Aristotle would argue it is unethical as it sacrifices moral principles for utility.
• 😀 Aristotle believes virtue is achieved through practice, which is illustrated in *Super Mario* by improving skills through trial, error, and repetition.
• 😀 The concept of *phronesis*, or practical wisdom, is key in both philosophy and gameplay, emphasizing learning from experience and timing in decision-making.
• 😀 Mario’s journey to save Princess Peach serves as a metaphor for human life’s pursuit of a higher goal or purpose, akin to striving for eudaimonia in real life.
• 😀 The episode encourages viewers to reflect philosophically on video games, illustrating that gaming can provide deeper insights into ethics, virtue, and human goals.

Q & A

How does the concept of *Telos* from Aristotelian philosophy relate to *Super Mario*?

In Aristotelian philosophy, *Telos* refers to the ultimate purpose or end goal of something. In *Super Mario*, Mario’s primary objective—rescuing Princess Peach—represents this *Telos*, as it is the goal that gives meaning to the game and drives the player’s actions, much like a human life seeking fulfillment through purpose.

What is *Eudaimonia*, and how does it connect to Mario’s journey?

*Eudaimonia* is the Aristotelian concept of flourishing or happiness, which comes from living a virtuous life. In *Super Mario*, Mario’s success in rescuing Princess Peach can be seen as a metaphor for achieving *Eudaimonia*, where the character’s actions lead to a sense of fulfillment and purpose in line with Aristotle's idea of a good life.

What does Aristotle mean by the 'golden mean,' and how is it illustrated in Mario’s gameplay?

The 'golden mean' is the idea that virtue lies between extremes—neither too much nor too little of a quality. In *Super Mario*, this balance is seen in how the player must act: rushing through the game too quickly is imprudent, while hesitating too much is cowardly. The ideal is to find the right timing, demonstrating the balance between risk and caution, which Aristotle believed was essential for a virtuous life.

Why does the speaker bring up the dilemma of sacrificing Yoshi in the game, and what does it teach us about ethics?

The dilemma of sacrificing Yoshi illustrates a moral question in *Super Mario*. From an Aristotelian perspective, sacrificing Yoshi is unethical because it reflects an excess of pragmatism, where the player prioritizes winning at the cost of moral behavior. Aristotle would argue that true virtue involves finding a balance that respects both the goal and the ethical considerations of one’s actions.

What role does *fronesis* play in both Aristotle’s philosophy and in *Super Mario*?

*Fronesis* refers to practical wisdom or the ability to make good decisions based on experience. In *Super Mario*, as the player repeatedly faces challenges and learns from mistakes, they gain practical experience, much like Aristotle’s idea that virtue is developed through practice and repetition. This gradual improvement through experience reflects the concept of *fronesis*.

How does the concept of ‘virtuous action’ relate to Mario's actions in the game?

In Aristotle’s view, virtuous actions are those that strike a balance between extremes. Mario’s gameplay requires him to act with precision—jumping at the right time, avoiding enemies, and managing resources effectively. This mirrors Aristotelian virtue, where the player must find balance in their actions to succeed without overstepping into recklessness or hesitation.

How does Aristotle’s idea of living a good life connect to the gameplay structure of *Super Mario*?

Aristotle believed that living a good life involves continuous striving toward one’s purpose through virtuous actions. Similarly, *Super Mario* is structured as a series of challenges that Mario must overcome. The gameplay mirrors the journey of self-improvement and achieving a higher goal, just as Aristotle suggests that individuals must actively pursue *Eudaimonia* through the practice of virtue.

What does the speaker mean by 'the grace of being challenged' in *Super Mario*?

The speaker is referring to the balance between difficulty and enjoyment in *Super Mario*. If the game is too easy, it lacks challenge; if it is too hard, it becomes frustrating. The 'grace of being challenged' reflects Aristotle’s idea that virtue involves facing and overcoming challenges in a balanced way, which leads to personal growth and satisfaction.

What can we learn about the role of practice and habit in achieving virtue from the game?

Aristotle believed that virtue is developed through repeated practice. In *Super Mario*, players must repeatedly try and fail to master the game’s mechanics, gaining better skills with each attempt. This mirrors Aristotle’s idea that the habitual practice of virtuous actions leads to moral excellence over time.

How does *Super Mario* serve as an analogy for the challenges of life, according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that *Super Mario* is an analogy for life’s challenges because both involve facing obstacles, learning from failures, and striving toward a greater purpose or goal. Just as Mario’s quest to save Princess Peach involves repeated attempts and adjustments, life itself requires continual effort, reflection, and improvement in order to achieve fulfillment and moral excellence.