According to Aristotle, the basic philosophy behind virtue ethics is that all human good is aimed towards happiness. Aristotle argued that the goal of all of human existence is to be happy and in order to achieve that goal; one must work towards consistently improving their character. He further explains the principal of virtues and vices. Virtues are positive attributes that humans have and can develop over time to acquire happiness. There are two different types of virtues; intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Intellectual virtues are acquired through education and learned behavior. Aristotle stated that the most important intellectual virtue one could obtain is wisdom. Without wisdom, an individual would be unable to govern himself …show more content…
What is a categorical imperative? Why should one obey a categorical imperative? One main aspect of Immanuel Kant’s Deontological ethics is the philosophy of the categorical imperative. As he explained, the understanding behind the categorical imperative is that, in order for an individual to have moral worth, he must do his duty. In the book, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant argues that the general concept of morality is divided into two rules of reason. The first rule of reason for morality is the hypothetical imperative. These imperatives include characteristics such as customs, fashion, happiness, prudence, taste, art, i.e. As Kant reasons in his work, “The hypothetical imperative that represents practical necessity of the action as a means to furthering happiness is assertotic. One may expound it as necessary not merely to an uncertain, merely possible aim, but to an aim, that one can presuppose safely and a priori with every human being, because it belongs to his essence. Now one can call skill in the choice of means to his own greatest well-being prudence. In the narrowest sense. Thus the imperative that refers to the choice of means to one’s own happiness, i.e., the precept pf prudence, is always hypothetical; the action is commanded not absolutely but only as a means to another aim.” (Kant. Pg.24) These hypothetical imperatives are conditional and depend on desires rather than obligation. For instance, if an individual is interested in playing the trumpet, there are steps that are taken to achieve it. There are different types of hypothetical imperatives that one could choose to aim. There is no moral obligation or standard for people to achieve every hypothetical