¶ … Aristotle, happiness and pleasure was moderation and a middle action between two vices. . So, for example, modesty would be a virtue as it comes between two extremes or vices; egotism and low self-esteem. Another example would be working sensibly. The two vices of working would be overworking and laziness. The middle option would be working sensibly. This, according to Aristotle, is the correct choice of action. He said we should act in the right way, at the right time, in the right amount towards the right persons for the correct reasons:"...To experience these emotions [fear, courage, desire, anger, pity, and pleasure] at the right times and on the right occasions and toward the right persons and for the right causes and in the right manner is the mean or the supreme good, which is characteristic of virtue" (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, II). Happiness, then, comes not at the end of the journey or activity, but along the path. Instead of this being utilitarian as in the greatest good for the greatest number, it is more deontological, or the means toward the goal are more important than the goal, and if those means are moral, then there is positive good (happiness) for the individual or participant.
Part 2 -- Aristotle would find communism unjust and impractical as an economic or social institution for people. He did believe that there is always difficulty in people living together and having common property. However, for property to be viable for the individual, it must be private so that everyone has a specific interest. In this way, individuals are happier, more likely to be productive, and can make progress (actualize) because all individuals are then working towards their own good. Because individuals are unique, one cannot expect them to act completely in accordance 100% of the time. Instead, because of this uniqueness, different gifts of individuals (the carpenter, the physician, the fisherman) are able to be expressed in two ways -- for the individual good and profit so the activity can continue and for the common good to serve society. Without private ownership, though, there would be no incentive for most to excel and actualize.
Part 3 - If we have two propositions, P1. Murder is Wrong and P2 The three inner angels of a triangle are equal to two right angels, and we are using Kant's theory of morality as a basis for argument, we then find that if P2 is true as a basis for moral thought, then P1 must also be true. For Kant, morality is based on the Categorical...
This could consist of platonic pleasure or erotic pleasure. Because this, like Utilitarian Friendships, is based on superficial foundations, it does not stand the test of time. The final way to Friendship is through a true "goodness of character." Aristotle believed that all human beings have a capacity for goodness of character; yet it takes practice and effort to reach a respectable level of moral integrity. Friendships based on
Aristotle: Virtue Aristotle is considered to be the philosopher of philosophers, he virtually wrote about everything, he pioneered most of the disciplines like psychology, biology, meteorology and political science. For almost a thousand years Aristotle's theories were unchallenged such was the impact of his philosophy and thought. The medieval philosophy of Scholastics and early Renaissance thinkers borrowed heavily from Aristotle. At the root of Aristotle's philosophy was his doctrine of virtue
What distinguishes man from animals or plants is his capacity to reason. Animals seek pleasure for pleasures sake while human beings have the capacity to reason and, therefore, determine what pleasures to seek that are appropriate. This process of seeking the appropriate pleasures such as heath, wealth, knowledge, etc. allows a human being to enrich his life and lead eventually to a state of happiness. Reasoning allows one to
Aristotle thought happiness was longer in coming, it was the manner of being actualized and fulfilling one's true potential using their own individual gifts: Again, if the virtues are concerned with actions and passions, and every passion and every action is accompanied by pleasure and pain, for this reason also virtue will be concerned with pleasures and pains. This is indicated also by the fact that punishment is indicated by
Happiness is perhaps the most illusive, but most sought after mental state in life. Like all human experiences, happiness is also a very subjective state; different things make different people happy. This is why it is so difficult to say what happiness is, and why there has been so much disagreement among philosophers, who have nonetheless not been deterred from attempting to describe this elusive emotion. Both Plato and Aristotle
Aristotle on Incontinence Greek Philosophy Incontinence is a term which is used by Philosophers. It stems from the Greek term, which is Akrasia, which means lack of mastery -- or when someone is not able to withhold his or her desires. It describes human passion and desires and giving in to one's pleasures, not considering if an act is the right thing to do, according to Aristotle. However, it is believed by
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