Argument 2 Aristotle

Aristotle’s theory of morality has similarities to Plato’s 1 Every action is aimed at an end result. Happiness. Teleological. 2. The ultimate end purpose in life is happiness – eudemonia. This is not just a pleasure but a self fulfilment 3. Happiness is achieved by exercising reason. This is unique to human beings and therefore has a purpose. No other being can reason about what is moral/immoral.

There must be some motivation to be moral and eudemonia seems like a plausible and suitable explanation. It allows society to flourish and it is in everyone’s self interest or this to continue

How would Aristotle answer the question: Why be moral?

Criticisms of Aristotle’s views on reason and eudemonia The idea that it is in everyone’s self interest to have a flourishing society sounds too much like....

Criticisms of Aristotle’s view on reason and eudemonia Aristotle’s view is that the purpose of life is to reach eudemonia. This cannot be possible. The reason for doing a moral action could be justified with the reply because it allows me to reach eudemonia. The problem arises when one is asked what is the purpose of life? One cannot say: To reach eudemonia. Russell’s analogy explains this point with a metaphor....

Criticisms of Aristotle’s views on reason and eudemonia There is no blueprint for the purpose of human life. Satre in Existentialism and Humanism clarifies this point with the example of a paper knife. The purpose of the knife is determined before it is made. But the purpose of humankind is not stated anywhere, it is simply Aristotle’s opinion that the purpose of life is tor each eudemonia.

Aristotle claims that those who use the unique ability to reason are better than others. He comes up with fascists ideas about how women and slaves are not as worthy as men because they cannot reason as well as men.

A unique ability to reason does not mean that automatically mean that we have the ability to reach eudemonia. The ability to reason may cause us agonising confusion NOT eudemonia. Even though we have the ability to reason and work out what is moral/immoral, it does not give us definitive answers as to what is moral or not. Is reason really that helpful.

Make a table with the advantages and disadvantages of virtue ethics. How do we use reason in the pursuit of moral actions and reach the end goal of eudemonia? Describe how humankind finds “the mean” emotion to lead a virtuous life. This is known as the theory of virtue ethics. Make a table with the advantages and disadvantages of virtue ethics.