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Aristotle's contribution to the society
The importance of utilitarianism
Aristotle's contribution to the society
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The doctrine of the mean, as coined by Aristotle, describes virtues as lying between the vices of excess and deficiency (Aristotle 98). This middle ground of virtue is considered by Aristotle to be excellence, which is meant to say that the thing is both good and performs its function well (Aristotle 98). The application of these virtues is not defined in a specific manner by Aristotle, as he believed that actions depended on circumstances, so there couldn’t be a one-size-fits-all standard (Aristotle 96). In order to develop and master the application of virtues, we have to practice them in our daily lives until it becomes a habit (Aristotle 95). We develop a virtue only when our actions constantly display and follow the virtue we are trying …show more content…
To guide these decisions, we are to use reason, rather than instinct, while being sure our decisions do not impact the autonomy--the ability to make decisions--of other individuals (Kant 41). A categorical imperative is something that we always have to do, no matter what the context of the situation is (Kant 42). Decisions that are good to make under this category fall under what is sometimes known as the universal law formulation, which says “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law” (Kant 42). This means that if the action you’re debating can’t be made a law that everyone else has to follow, then you shouldn’t do the action. Contrastingly, a hypothetical imperative is dependent on an additional condition (Kant 42). Kant also states how other humans shouldn’t ever be used by another individual only as a means to get something. Specifically, he said: “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means . . .” (Kant …show more content…
Mill, however, thinks that a focus on the future outcome is far more crucial than what the in-the-moment action is (Mill 47). When comparing all three, Aristotle gives the loosest rules as to what actions individuals should take. Kant and Mill only give a couple of guidelines, though these guidelines seem to be a more definite determinant of what action should be taken. This lends some insight into why Aristotle believes that virtues need to be practiced in order to be mastered, as it is would likely take longer to find the mean between two vices rather than finding whether something could be turned into a universal law or if it uses utility for the greatest number of people possible. In reference to the similarities, both Aristotle and Mill believe in doing things for the greater good (doing things to benefit the most
In Aristotle 's Nicomachean Ethics, the basic idea of virtue ethics is established. The most important points are that every action and decision that humans make is aimed at achieving the good or as Aristotle 's writes, “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at the good... (Aristotle 1094a). Aristotle further explains that this good aimed for is happiness.
Aristotle further divided his thought on ethics into two categories, intellectual virtue and moral/social/political virtue. With respect to his views on moral virtue, Aristotle developed a doctrine that showed that virtue is staying in the mean, the doctrine of the mean. “The moral virtue is a mean…” (Aristotle 109). This doctrine claimed that having the right amount of a characteristic would be virtuous and most often is in between having too much or too little of ...
According to Kant, there are two types on imperatives, categorical imperatives and hypothetical imperatives. The Categorical Imperative is based on relation and not by means, which hypothetical imperatives are based on. Kant describes them by stating, “When I conceive a hypothetical imperative in general, I do not know beforehand what it will contain- until its condition is give. But if I conceive a categorical imperative, I know at once what it contains,” (88). Like before, categorical imperatives are absolutely moral in themselves, meaning they do not rely on a person’s desires or feelings. This is compared with hypothetical imperatives, which are obligations that have an end result of your action, which in turn results in your personal desires or thoughts. An example of a hypothetical imperative is, “I need to ea...
Kant argued that the Categorical Imperative (CI) was the test for morally permissible actions. The CI states: I must act in such a way that I can will that my maxim should become a universal law. Maxims which fail to pass the CI do so because they lead to a contradiction or impossibility. Kant believes this imperative stems from the rationality of the will itself, and thus it is necessary regardless of the particular ends of an individual; the CI is an innate constituent of being a rational individual. As a result, failure ...
In the 1939 movie classic, The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion is on a quest for the wizard to give him courage. He is afraid of everything and anything. However, in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle believes that courage is possible for all individuals. To gain courage one must have the inner qualities that will guide the courageous. The most important part of these qualities is to come to terms with death itself. Also, there are views of courage that are falsely perceived because they appear to be parallel with one another; nevertheless they are still very different.
Aristotle's ethics consist of a form of virtue ethics, in which the ethical action is that which properly complies with virtue(s) by finding the mean within each particular one. Aristotle outlines two types of virtues: moral/character virtues and intellectual virtues. Though similar to, and inspired by, Plato and Socrates’ ethics, Aristotle's ethical account differs in some areas.
In this essay we will discuss and analyze Aristotle’s Doctrine of the Mean. This topic area can be found in Book II, page 888, 6—15, through 890, 25. The purpose for Aristotle touching on this subject matter was to discern the states of character which are virtuous from those which are not. By this, I mean he is attempting to categorize which virtues are causal of a human “to be in a good state and to perform their functions well”(888—15). In order to keep this paper orderly and comprehensible, we will work in chronological order through Aristotle’s variety of premises and conclusions which lead to his main idea which is ––––––––––––.
Analysis 1. According to Aristotle, the wealth earned by farming and fishing was more natural than becoming wealthy through exchange and trade. Aristotle considered exchanging and trading them piracy. 2. When Aristotle refers to "virtue" he is referring to moral virtue and intellectual virtue.
In spite of the fact that Aristotle was a companion and scholar of Plato, he didn't concur with Plato's speculations on ethical quality. In the same way as other Greeks, Aristotle did not have confidence in the presence of inalienably terrible practices.
In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle says that virtue and happiness come from achieving the moral mean. The moral mean is the midpoint between deficiency and excess in any particular behavior. For example, the moral mean of recklessness and cowardice is courage. In matters of ple...
In a big way, aiming at the mean makes people better, but it is not the only thing that exists. In other words, by striving for perfection, people often do very well and even their best. This can be considered virtuous. Virtuosity is not as narrow a goal as Aristotle spells it out to be. Aristotle in essence equates virtuosity with a grade of 100, but the majority of people do not receive 100’s all the time.
The virtues defined by Aristotle consist of two extremes or vices, the excess and the deficiency. The mean or the intermediate between the excess and the deficiency is the virtue. One virtue Aristotle explains is bravery, with its vices being rashness and cowardice. Each aspect of these is contrary to the others, meaning that the intermediate opposes the extreme. Similarly, one extreme opposes the mean and its other extreme. The implications of this are that the excess opposes the deficiency more than the mean. This causes the mean to sometimes resemble its neighboring extreme. Obtaining the mean involves the challenge of being excellent. The challenging part, however, is “doing it to the right person, in the right amount, at the right time, for the right end, and in the right way” (Nicomachean Ethics 1109a28-29:29). Fortunately, one can steer themselves to the mean if one is conscious of the extreme they are naturally inclined to go towards. Since everybody is uniquely different the means by which one steers themselves in the right direction is different for each individual. In addition, Aristotle names three requirements for an action to be a virtue. First one must be cons...
In The Metaphysics, Aristotle states, “All men by nature desire to know.” Although, this is a generalization, of this insightful statement about the nature of humans and human understanding this statement truly captures what Aristotle was trying to figure out about humans and their thinking. Everyone has a desire to know or to understand. As rational beings we tend to contemplate very simple ideas to the most complicated, like our existence, or parts of the universe, or the universe as a whole. Aristotle is known as the father of modern day psychology and biology, even though many of his ideas of these two sciences was proven incorrect. The most important concepts of Aristotle’s theory of human understanding are the notion of cause, the infinite, and the soul.
Aristotle’s “doctrine of the mean,” I believe, may shed some light on the nature of moral virtues (virtues of character). The doctrine of the mean can tell us some things about moral virtues, but I would also that the doctrine of the mean ultimately creates a rather unhelpful and overly simplistic concept of morality. More than anything, I think the doctrine of the mean tells us more about Aristotle than the nature of moral virtues. First, we should define the terms we are discussing. When Aristotle talked about “moral virtue,” he considered it a state of character— character as opposed to “virtues of intellect” (which Aristotle also talked about). The doctrine of the mean is Aristotle’s analytical model for determining how people can best
To understand Kant’s account of freedom and autonomy one should have a general picture of his moral philosophy. A moral philosophy based so heavily on autonomy, that it if fair to establish that Kant’s morality and freedom reciprocally imply one another. First, Kant holds that there is a single fundamental principle of morality, one that is absolutely necessary, on which all specific moral duties are based. This moral law is what is referred to as the categorical imperative. According to Kant imperatives are formulas for determining an action that is necessary according to a will that is good in some way. All imperatives can command either hypothetically o...