Views on Ethics (Mill vs. Aristotle)
Introduction
“What do I do?” Is a question we as humans ask ourselves in every situation, whether simple or difficult, during our lifetime. What usually answers that question for us is our own ethics. Ethics is the branch of study that deals with what is a proper course of action for a person, and it decides for us whether an action is right or wrong. Fundamentally, it is the system by which we categorize and pursue our values. Are we supposed to prioritize and pursue our own happiness, or should we make sacrifices for the greater good? Also, is the establishment of ethics based on a certain religion, or on the human nature itself, or neither? There are various philosophical theories discussing numerous definitions of morality and what may be considered moral right. For this assignment, John
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Firstly, Virtue Ethics makes for better individuals. Compassion, modesty, honesty, ambition, generosity and the like are all virtues already possessed by people. When these virtues are practiced habitually, it ultimately results in a virtuous world. Opponents of Virtue Ethics may say that the theory is self-centered. That is because it only deals with an individual’s own character instead of how a person’s actions may affect other people. However, I strongly believe that if every person works on self-betterment and acquiring good traits, relationships between people will flourish. Furthermore, when compared to Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics is more flexible. The theory allows people to act based on their own morals instead of forcing them to act based on consequences which are difficult to predict. Aristotle’s ethical theory says that ultimate good is happiness over a complete life. The joy we feel when doing something we like is based only on pleasure, not