In Nicomachean Ethics , Aristotle reminds us of one of Plato’s favorite questions: Are we on our way from or to fi rst principles? 1 That is, are we starting with some intuited, reasoned, or otherwise given metaphysics that then lead us to certain conclusions about the world? Or do we start from factual knowledge about the world, which then suggests certain metaphysical views? Plato often took the former route, preferring to begin with grand metaphysical visions and then inferring practical conclusions. Aristotle opted for the latter: “We must begin with things familiar to us,” he said, “[f]or the facts are the starting point” (1095b). Pragmatic man that he was, Aristotle saw no value in obscure theoretical entities that had little relevance to real life. Metaphysics was important, but it had to have consequencestangible effects that impacted our daily lives. Simply because these higher concepts were ‘metaphysical,’ or rather ‘fi rst principles,’ in no way should suggest that they are detached from reality. Quite the contrary: they are the most real of philosophical entities and thus have profound practical implications.