What role do our worldviews, i.e. our understanding of nature/science, the individual, society, the divine etc., take in shaping our moral philosophy or ethics? In fact what is the difference between morality and ethics itself? Furthermore, what is the nature of ethics within a religious framework? How does a particular theology condition a morality? Here in the following space we will explore these issues and more via turning to the ancient Greeks.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Aristotle's Ethics
So read Book I Chapters 1-13 of the Nicomachean Ethics.
What is the function of the human being and how does determine our good?
A person is determined good if he or she performs his or her function well. The functions of human beings are what separates us from animals. The function of person is their individual rational activity.
The function of the human is the soul's activity that expresses reason. This would then lead to a cetain kind of life with actions that express reason. This determines our good by allowing us to explain why we do certain things.But I believe this reson also comes from what we are taught throughtout life and we apply it to our life or given situations.
Aristotle argues that the function of the human being is to pursue the highest end, which is the ultimate good or happiness. In the reading, happiness is a kind of success that entails activities of fulfilling duties and expectations of a person’s social position or way of life. Aristotle believes that we should concern ourselves with the practical ends that we can pursue in everyday life. In order to be good, we must develop and exercise reason. So, intelligence and virtue are good because they make us happy. According to Aristotle, rational and virtuous activities distinguish us from plants and animals and foster our rational soul that strives for the supreme good. When determining our good, a person’s life is considered as a whole not a specific part of it. Therefore, a person can only be considered happy after death when the whole can be observed.
Aristotle suggests that the ultimate function of a human being is to fulfill his or her purpose, which is to achieve happiness. This happiness is the goal to which all other actions and decisions lead. As humans, our function is also to feed the rational part of our souls. Because the thing that differentiates humans from other creatures is our ability to reason, we must nurture this ability in order to achieve happiness. Aristotle compares the rationality of humans to the flute playing of a musician. What makes the flutist good is the ability to perform music well; similarly what makes a human good is the ability to use reason.
This brings to mind the idea that to live wisely and in a 'good' way is to use the talents you have been given. So is it making use of our talents that makes us 'good?' Is it unjust or a waste not to use the talents we have? And similarly can humans be 'good' without using reason and developing that part of our souls?
The function of human beings is to determine the function of human beings. Good is implicit in what is determined to be the function of humanity, and is sought accordingly.
According to Aristotle, the function of human beings is to achieve happiness, by employing the rational part of the soul, according to virtue. Like Socrates, Aristotle asserts that human beings aim for the good in all things. The highest good is the one that is good in and of itself for the sake of itself. Thus, human virtue is of the soul comes from achieving this highest good—happiness.
I believe the human function is to finder out our function and to figure out what is good and what makes an individual happy. We use reason and intellect to figure it out. It is very subjective to person to person.
The human function is to act rationally and be virtuous by determining one's own function and performing it well. One acts rationally and performs his/her own function in order to reach his/her own idea of happiness.
The function of the human being is to discover and achieve the good, whatever it may be to that human. Every person will have a different view of what the good is and must function in whatever way is necessary to achieve his or her good.
I believe the function of the human being is to live life to the fullest. This includes a person discovering their talents (or their good) and using them to the best of their ability to help themselves and others. Doing so will help the person find happiness and fulfillment with his or her life which what human beings work toward.
The function of the human being is to find out what we excell at of which will lead us to happiness. Happiness is our interpretation of "the Good" and we strive for such happiness through our works and subsequent pleasure that arises for "our good".
In my opinion, the function of the human being is to strive for the good because consequently whatever is good can make us happy--and the reading says that happiness is complete because it appears to be completely self-sufficient. The reading also states many things that humans consider good; like honor. However, honor is overshadowed by virtue because when one wants to be seen for their honor they are also trying to show others that they are virtuous, as well.
The function of a human being according to Aristotle is to fulfill ones potential to the fullest, ultimately leading to 'happiness'. Ones 'happiness' varies from person to person, but can always be used in synonymously with 'the Good'.
What separates man from human is our ability to reason. We have potential and hope. We can distinguish between right and wrong which is the base of good.
"If there is some end of everything that is pursued in action, this will be the good pursued in action; and if there are more ends than one, these will be the goods pursued in action." There are many goods for humans to fulfill with action, but the best good is something both complete and pursued in itself (rather than pursuing it for other reasons). Aristotle argues that the human function is the soul's activity that expresses or requires reason. Living life with purpose, dedication, and at least one fully formed virtue is what produces the "good." Goods are divided by external goods, goods of the soul, and by physical goods. The goods of the soul are generally accepted as the most fulfilling goods. Humans function, then, is to live life with a sense of completeness in soul. I would interpret this to mean living life with no regrets, and for the purpose of having a purpose and a complete sense of self.
The function of the human being is to act towards an end. Because in everything that is done, it is done for the sake of the end. The end is where the good(s) is/are achieved. Aristotle states that the knowledge of good is very important for the conduct of our lives and that political science is the study of the human good. He also mentions that the good for an individual are the same for a city and that the good of a city is a more complete good than that of an individual. The conclusion I drew from this was that our function is to fulfill the good of ourselves while acting to fulfill the good of everyone. Aristotle states that happiness is a universal good because it is unconditionally complete and that we choose other virtues for the sake of being happy. We choose happines because of itself, not because of something else. It is the end for which we act.
Aristotle argues that the function of the human being is to achieve happiness throughout one’s life. In fulfilling that function, humans must develop and look to the rational part of the soul. I also believe that the function of human beings is to achieve happiness and live without regrets. Even if we do things that are wrong and we feel like we should not have done that wrong thing or we should not have missed an important opportunity, we should look at these as lessons that we can learn from and move on in our lives to not do the same wrong thing twice.
Our rationality is what separates us from animals. The reading says that every human activity aims at some end that we consider good. It says that the supreme good is happiness, and what constitutes happiness is virtue and intelligence.
In Aristotles opinion, human beings function through reason or rationally thinking that leds us to do things that we consider good. Usually, this means we do things for a reason that makes us happy or betters our lives. Many human beings will try to live life to its fullest or its ultimate good. Aristotle, however, goes on to say that things like happiness and infinite wealth are not the highest goods humans want live by, but it is living well that most humans truely intend to accomplish in life.
The basic function of the human being, like all animals is survival. While humans have to coexist in more complex ways than animals, it requires thought and reason as well as basic survival instincts. Determining how a community or civilization can best coexist is how one determines the good. The good is relative to the circumstances of the individual and the community. What is not going to benefit me may benefit a larger group. To pinpoint the greater good for all would be impossible as we all percieve things different while having different experiences. A function of being human is to try and understand these differences in a way that benefits the society as a whole.
Aristotle proposes that the purpose of the human being is to pursue happiness. He also proposes that in order to attain this happiness, humans utilize their reasoning and rational capabilities to seek out the good. When I think of this, it seems to me that most humans, in their pursuit of the good or happiness, tend to make decisions based on faulty reasoning, or will justify something that may provide short term "happiness," but may not necessarily be in pursuit of the Good. For example, I will sometimes justify eating an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's in order to reach short term happiness. However, eating all that ice cream won't really make me happy, and is not really in pursuit of the Good. So, i feel that it is an ongoing process for humans to discern true happiness and good from the more superficial versions.
From my interpretation...Aristotle conceives that the proper function of human lies in reasoning and in acting in accordance to reason. This is the core of the doctrine of moral and intellectual virtue. This leads Aristotle’s audience to conclude that the achievement and application of moral and intellectual virtue are fundamental factors in having an adequate existence and therefore attaining happiness and fulfilling your purpose.
A person is determined good if he or she performs his or her function well. The functions of human beings are what separates us from animals. The function of person is their individual rational activity.
ReplyDeleteThe function of the human is the soul's activity that expresses reason. This would then lead to a cetain kind of life with actions that express reason. This determines our good by allowing us to explain why we do certain things.But I believe this reson also comes from what we are taught throughtout life and we apply it to our life or given situations.
ReplyDeleteAristotle argues that the function of the human being is to pursue the highest end, which is the ultimate good or happiness. In the reading, happiness is a kind of success that entails activities of fulfilling duties and expectations of a person’s social position or way of life. Aristotle believes that we should concern ourselves with the practical ends that we can pursue in everyday life. In order to be good, we must develop and exercise reason. So, intelligence and virtue are good because they make us happy. According to Aristotle, rational and virtuous activities distinguish us from plants and animals and foster our rational soul that strives for the supreme good. When determining our good, a person’s life is considered as a whole not a specific part of it. Therefore, a person can only be considered happy after death when the whole can be observed.
ReplyDeleteAristotle suggests that the ultimate function of a human being is to fulfill his or her purpose, which is to achieve happiness. This happiness is the goal to which all other actions and decisions lead. As humans, our function is also to feed the rational part of our souls. Because the thing that differentiates humans from other creatures is our ability to reason, we must nurture this ability in order to achieve happiness. Aristotle compares the rationality of humans to the flute playing of a musician. What makes the flutist good is the ability to perform music well; similarly what makes a human good is the ability to use reason.
ReplyDeleteThis brings to mind the idea that to live wisely and in a 'good' way is to use the talents you have been given. So is it making use of our talents that makes us 'good?' Is it unjust or a waste not to use the talents we have? And similarly can humans be 'good' without using reason and developing that part of our souls?
The function of human beings is to determine the function of human beings. Good is implicit in what is determined to be the function of humanity, and is sought accordingly.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Aristotle, the function of human beings is to achieve happiness, by employing the rational part of the soul, according to virtue. Like Socrates, Aristotle asserts that human beings aim for the good in all things. The highest good is the one that is good in and of itself for the sake of itself. Thus, human virtue is of the soul comes from achieving this highest good—happiness.
ReplyDeleteI believe the human function is to finder out our function and to figure out what is good and what makes an individual happy. We use reason and intellect to figure it out. It is very subjective to person to person.
ReplyDeleteA human beings function is to use the gift of reason to determine our strengths and weaknesses, thereby leading us to fulfillment and happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe human function is to act rationally and be virtuous by determining one's own function and performing it well. One acts rationally and performs his/her own function in order to reach his/her own idea of happiness.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe function of the human being is to discover and achieve the good, whatever it may be to that human. Every person will have a different view of what the good is and must function in whatever way is necessary to achieve his or her good.
ReplyDeleteI believe the function of the human being is to live life to the fullest. This includes a person discovering their talents (or their good) and using them to the best of their ability to help themselves and others. Doing so will help the person find happiness and fulfillment with his or her life which what human beings work toward.
ReplyDeleteThe function of the human being is to find out what we excell at of which will lead us to happiness. Happiness is our interpretation of "the Good" and we strive for such happiness through our works and subsequent pleasure that arises for "our good".
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the function of the human being is to strive for the good because consequently whatever is good can make us happy--and the reading says that happiness is complete because it appears to be completely self-sufficient. The reading also states many things that humans consider good; like honor. However, honor is overshadowed by virtue because when one wants to be seen for their honor they are also trying to show others that they are virtuous, as well.
ReplyDeleteThe function of a human being according to Aristotle is to fulfill ones potential to the fullest, ultimately leading to 'happiness'. Ones 'happiness' varies from person to person, but can always be used in synonymously with 'the Good'.
ReplyDeleteWhat separates man from human is our ability to reason. We have potential and hope. We can distinguish between right and wrong which is the base of good.
ReplyDelete"If there is some end of everything that is pursued in action, this will be the good pursued in action; and if there are more ends than one, these will be the goods pursued in action." There are many goods for humans to fulfill with action, but the best good is something both complete and pursued in itself (rather than pursuing it for other reasons). Aristotle argues that the human function is the soul's activity that expresses or requires reason. Living life with purpose, dedication, and at least one fully formed virtue is what produces the "good." Goods are divided by external goods, goods of the soul, and by physical goods. The goods of the soul are generally accepted as the most fulfilling goods. Humans function, then, is to live life with a sense of completeness in soul. I would interpret this to mean living life with no regrets, and for the purpose of having a purpose and a complete sense of self.
ReplyDeleteThe function of the human being is to act towards an end. Because in everything that is done, it is done for the sake of the end. The end is where the good(s) is/are achieved. Aristotle states that the knowledge of good is very important for the conduct of our lives and that political science is the study of the human good. He also mentions that the good for an individual are the same for a city and that the good of a city is a more complete good than that of an individual. The conclusion I drew from this was that our function is to fulfill the good of ourselves while acting to fulfill the good of everyone. Aristotle states that happiness is a universal good because it is unconditionally complete and that we choose other virtues for the sake of being happy. We choose happines because of itself, not because of something else. It is the end for which we act.
ReplyDeleteAristotle argues that the function of the human being is to achieve happiness throughout one’s life. In fulfilling that function, humans must develop and look to the rational part of the soul.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the function of human beings is to achieve happiness and live without regrets. Even if we do things that are wrong and we feel like we should not have done that wrong thing or we should not have missed an important opportunity, we should look at these as lessons that we can learn from and move on in our lives to not do the same wrong thing twice.
Our rationality is what separates us from animals. The reading says that every human activity aims at some end that we consider good. It says that the supreme good is happiness, and what constitutes happiness is virtue and intelligence.
ReplyDeleteIn Aristotles opinion, human beings function through reason or rationally thinking that leds us to do things that we consider good. Usually, this means we do things for a reason that makes us happy or betters our lives. Many human beings will try to live life to its fullest or its ultimate good. Aristotle, however, goes on to say that things like happiness and infinite wealth are not the highest goods humans want live by, but it is living well that most humans truely intend to accomplish in life.
ReplyDeleteThe basic function of the human being, like all animals is survival. While humans have to coexist in more complex ways than animals, it requires thought and reason as well as basic survival instincts. Determining how a community or civilization can best coexist is how one determines the good. The good is relative to the circumstances of the individual and the community. What is not going to benefit me may benefit a larger group. To pinpoint the greater good for all would be impossible as we all percieve things different while having different experiences. A function of being human is to try and understand these differences in a way that benefits the society as a whole.
ReplyDeleteThe function of an human being is to determine what it is good and just and then how to implement that in our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteAristotle proposes that the purpose of the human being is to pursue happiness. He also proposes that in order to attain this happiness, humans utilize their reasoning and rational capabilities to seek out the good. When I think of this, it seems to me that most humans, in their pursuit of the good or happiness, tend to make decisions based on faulty reasoning, or will justify something that may provide short term "happiness," but may not necessarily be in pursuit of the Good. For example, I will sometimes justify eating an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's in order to reach short term happiness. However, eating all that ice cream won't really make me happy, and is not really in pursuit of the Good. So, i feel that it is an ongoing process for humans to discern true happiness and good from the more superficial versions.
ReplyDeleteFrom my interpretation...Aristotle conceives that the proper function of human lies in reasoning and in acting in accordance to reason. This is the core of the doctrine of moral and intellectual virtue. This leads Aristotle’s audience to conclude that the achievement and application of moral and intellectual virtue are fundamental factors in having an adequate existence and therefore attaining happiness and fulfilling your purpose.
ReplyDeleteMary Mena