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Aristotle doctrine of virtue
Aristotle doctrine of virtue
Aristotle doctrine of virtue
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For Plato the ‘good’ is neither stable nor material as well, but the means of acquiring it are different. In Plato’s understanding the higher good could be achieved through moral virtue that a person himself has to acquire. This ‘good’ is represented first and foremost by the moral virtue, which in its turn is presented through individual’s desire, action and goal and not by the uniqueness of the Face of Other. In Aristotle humanity becomes virtuous rationally by volition and willingness to act. As Aristotle puts it in, “These virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions ...
Establishing Aristotle's definition of virtue helps prove this idea further. Aristotle claims that there are two types of virtue, those being "that of intellect and that of character" (Aristotle 1103a.14-15). Intellectual virtue comes about through "teaching" (1103a.15). An example is wisdom. Aristotle
Aristotle does not have a true ideal of happiness. However, excellence in life is a state of being happy most of the time. Therefore if we strive to be excellent, happiness should follow. Aristotle also has ideals about balance. To not over do things and to keep ideals in check.
However, philosophers of the past strived not for happiness, but rather, simply a ‘good life’. While Augustine, Epicurus, Epictetus, and Plato all have different definitions of a good life and different portrayals of how to live in order to have a good life, Plato’s view is ultimately the best because his concept of a harmonized soul allows people to overcome any difficulty. One method of determining whether a philosopher’s
For him, living a life of philosophy was the key to this said life of virtue. He was determined to live the life the gods have called upon him to have, which was to live a life that pushes himself and others to reach the “best possible state of [their souls]” (Plato 29e). This goes back to Socrates’ statement which read, “the unexamined life is not worth living” (Plato 37e). In his trial defense, Socrates had stressed his intention to never stop practicing philosophy.
Aristotle’s argument that it is the nature of the universe to be composed of virtuous elements, can be supported by his realist viewpoints. For example, Aristotle contributes the source of justice to be of geometry, which is a mathematical ruled governed by the order of the universe. Thus, the virtues that Aristotle chooses to highlight in the text can be related to matter. However, because of Socrates realist thought he relates the virtues that the universe encompasses to spirit as well. For example, Socrates states that it is the nature of the universe to encompass goodness.
I chose to write my paper on various segments of Plato’s Protagoras (lines 329c-e, 331b, 333a-c and 349b-c) in order to provide an interpretation of the Unity of Virtues thesis. Throughout the Protagoras Plato portrays Socrates as advocating for the stance that
The beliefs that Aristotle had about happiness are very different from the contemporary beliefs on happiness. Aristotle believed that in order to be happy one must be living and doing well, which he referred to as eudaemonia. He believed that bodily pleasure was suitable enough to keep humans happy. In our modern day society people will still probably say that happiness is living well, but they believe that you achieve that trough material objects. Aristotle believed that in order for humans to flourish they needed to nurture the mind and the body because ultimately is one is not physically or mentally well they will not be able to sustain happiness.
According to Aristotle’s belief, in order for there to be a civilization four main factors must be present. The four included; customs, arts, technology and government. To understand these beliefs, one must dissect each one carefully and apply them to a life situation. For instance what if developing a new civilization was at the hands of 4 people? How would one apply these beliefs to pick the right people to make the best civilization possible?
The world can be separated into two realms: the sensible, and the intelligible. This distinction is why many refer to Plato as a metaphysical dualist. This leads us to issue of appearance vs. reality. Virtue requires a detachment from material and sensible concern. Plato thought the first level of the highest tier of knowledge is understanding, and the highest level of knowledge is to comprehend the concept of reality, or to understand things as they really are.
He stated that kindness and love are the virtues that change the world. Plato spoke about knowledge changing perception. “In the world of knowledge the idea of good appears last of all, and is seen only with an effort; and, when seen, is also inferred to be the universal author of all things beautiful and right”(Plato
And if an individual performs noble actions towards others then they can reach happiness, but only if those actions are performed with the “help of instruments, as it were: friends, wealth, and political power” (p.54). Aristotle explains that happiness consists in living in accordance with reason. Aristotle, “first starts by explaining that the “soul consists of two elements, one irrational and one rational” (p.58). Then on page 59 he states that “in morally strong and morally weak men we
During our analysis, we will comment on the Platonic problem of virtue and its unity, as it emerges through the dialogue between Socrates and Menon. We examined the essence of virtue and the difficulties it carries in order to understand the relationship between the conditions of moral action, the possibility of learning, policy development and reason psychic harmony, that is to say, to determine how the concept of virtue, and in particular the consequences of seeking its definition, brings together and directs a set of fields. Meno is a Platonic dialogue in which Socrates and Meno are trying to find the definition of virtue, its nature, so whether virtue can be taught or, if not, how it is obtained. Initially, the review question is therefore
Aristotle claims that only good persons can be friends. What does he mean by this? Is there some truth to this? Is there something problematic about such a view of friendship? Explain the problem and some possible solutions to the problem.
Virtue in his term is one that can meet the highest point of happiness; rich, fame, power, etc. In today’s society, it is kindness, intelligence, friendlessness, courage, etc. He would consider a celebrity to be at the highest peak of virtue and gain happiness, however, the happiness is normally attained even at that height. Someone who is poor and is sacrificing their food and money to help another poor family is someone to be considered as a true virtuous person. Aristotle didn’t think of how differently society would be then and now.