# III explained — Nicomachean Ethics > Chapter companion for Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle. ## What happens Aristotle discusses the appropriate level of precision in political and ethical inquiry, noting that noble and just matters are inherently variable and uncertain. He emphasizes that the educated person demands only as much exactness as the subject allows, and that a young person, lacking life experience and ruled by feeling, is not fit to study Politics, which is practical rather than speculative. ## Themes in this chapter ### Practical Wisdom and Reason Aristotle argues that Politics is a practical science requiring experience and reason, not youthful emotion. ### Politics and the Individual The chapter emphasizes that the study of Politics is aimed at practical action and requires mature judgment. ## Character check-ins ### Aristotle Author of the chapter; sets forth the methodological principles for studying Politics and ethics. ## Key lines > We must be content if we can attain to so much precision in our statement as the subject before us admits of; for the same degree of accuracy is no more to be expected in all kinds of reasoning than in all kinds of handicraft. We should be satisfied with as much precision as the topic allows, since different subjects require different levels of exactness. _Aristotle introduces the principle of methodological appropriateness._ > it is the mark of an educated man to require, in each kind of inquiry, just so much exactness as the subject admits of: it is equally absurd to accept probable reasoning from a mathematician, and to demand scientific proof from an orator. An educated person knows to demand only the degree of precision that the subject matter allows; expecting mathematical proof from a speaker is as foolish as accepting mere likelihood from a mathematician. _Aristotle defines intellectual maturity in terms of methodological awareness._ > a young man is not qualified to be a student of Politics; for he lacks experience of the affairs of life, which form the data and the subject-matter of Politics. A young person is unfit to study Politics because they lack the life experience that provides the raw material for political understanding. _Aristotle stresses the necessity of practical experience for political education._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters