One of the most fundamental questions that philosophical minds ponder is the extent to the purpose of human beings. The Greek philosopher Aristotle attempted to derive this contemplation by practical, almost mathematical means, despite its variables being ridden with anomalies. This however is true to all philosophical thought and is part of the very definition of philosophy itself. Eventually Aristotle arrives on a reasonably justifiable answer, still widely accepted today, as to the basic function of man; a single unifying theme as to the meaning of human existence: happiness. But what exactly is happiness and how does one achieve this fate? The answer revolves around compliance of pursuing virtuous behavior and subsequently "improving" one's soul. This act is manifest in the form of true "human good" and is the single vital component to virtuous behavior.
Aristotle, to prove his theory relevant, proves this point from countless directions. The theory in its most basic form, nevertheless, was the result of a variant of the Socratic Method called practical syllogism. Starting off, Aristotle knows that for every action, there is a desired end result or reaction. Whatever this result may be, it always is some form of human good, although some desires are not universally accepted as being positively good. These actions consist of all conscious action and choices humans make in their lifetime. Aristotle then applies this to human existence in its entirety. The ultimate desire of humans is the state of happiness. Short-sighted or not, all human thought is thoroughly based on achieving this fate.
This theory extends to all walks of life; for instance happiness is achieved in the animal kingdom through sustenance and survival (among other things). The human race is undeniably unique in circumstance as it possesses intellectual rationality and reason. These traits ascend our perception to a higher plain as we have developed a purpose other than mere survival.
In Aristotle's Nicohmachean Ethics the term virtue refers to a state that exists within the soul. ... In conclusion, Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics is able to offer an explanation of how we justify our actions as moral and therefore how we should live. ...
Next, in Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, happiness takes a different idea as he explains his theory. ... Even though I disagree with both theories of happiness to some degrees, there is no doubt that John Stuart Mill's concept of utilitarianism and Aristotle's ethics contributed to the human society as they provided theoretical insights into many areas of human life that deal with happiness. ...
Upon reading Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, I initially thought that human virtue was to be happy, to achieve happiness. ... On gaining a better understanding to Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, I've found that in reality, human virtue is so much more than achieving happiness. ...
In his work, Politics, Aristotle attempts to delineate the nature of a political association, which would foster the accomplishment of the life goals described in his earlier work The Nichomachean Ethics. ... In The Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle asserts that " [t]he happy life is thought to be virtuous - (Ethics 262), and " justice is the greatest of virtues - (Ethics 108). ...
In his work, Politics, Aristotle attempts to delineate the nature of a political association, which would foster the accomplishment of the life goals described in his earlier work The Nichomachean Ethics. ... In The Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle asserts that " [t]he happy life is thought to be virtuous - (Ethics 262), and " justice is the greatest of virtues - (Ethics 108). ...
In both Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, we see the controversial subject of morality versus the law. In Ibsen's story, Nora breaks the law in order to save her husband's life. In Taming of the Shrew, Lucentio lies to be able to marry the woman he loves. Should this be...
In book I chapter 11 of the Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle states that, "it seems, from these considerations, that even if anything whether good or evil penetrates to them, it must be something weak and negligible, either in itself or for them, or if not, at least it must be such in degree and kind as not to make happy those who are not happy nor to take away their blessedness from those who are....
Ethics are the moral principles that govern an individual's behavior and reasoning. ... Ethics can be applied to many controversial issues in modern society, such as abortion. ... This book was dubbed one of the foundational works on ethics. ... The views opposed to the deontological approach of Immanuel Kant are exemplified through Aristotle's ethics. ... In what is considered his most significant work 'Nichomachean Ethics', Aristotle outlined the notion of the supreme good or 'Eudaimonia', which is otherwise described as perfect happiness. ...
This comparison will make it possible to suggest ideas of virtue that may applied to ethics in a modern setting, such as a diverse workplace. ... In his Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle describes quite succinctly the different points that he feels are necessary to define such a character. ...
