Gonzalez, Jessika Dr. Jeffries Essay #1 09/28/12 What is happiness? There are many different definitions of happiness and happiness is determined by each individual. “The Aim of Man” by Aristotle and “The Declaration of Independence” by Thomas Jefferson both discuss the meaning of happiness means to them. By discussing their attitudes towards material and spiritual happiness as well as their attitudes toward political freedom and the need for possessions, Jefferson and Aristotle, wrote what they feel about happiness. Aristotle defines happiness as the final good which means, to live a good life, by doing good deeds and happiness depends upon us.
‘Natural Law has no serious weaknesses.’ Discuss. The natural law theory is approach from an absolutist point of view which expresses that morality is set from birth. What is right and wrong, good or evil can be perceived almost instantly by everyone because morality is universal it is not a relativist thing that can change with situation. Also, natural law does not adjust to public opinion; it is an invisible measure which never changes. It can be seen as a good approach to morality as it does not allow people from different denominations such as cultures or where you are born or in different situation they may find themselves to build their own moral rules and framework to life, it is personal but is guided by these innate rules.
Furthermore, Natural Moral Law is absolute in its nature because it allows no exceptions to its rules and can be applied universally. Aristotle believed ultimate happiness (known as eudemonia in Ancient Greece) to be the aim of life, Aquinas developed this idea though, claiming this was achieved through eternal fellowship with God and ‘beatific vision’. He postulated that the application of Natural Moral Law in our lives was the way in which we could achieve this ultimate goal of ultimate happiness. Aquinas identified four laws by which humans live; his general definition of law is “a rule put into place by one who has care of the community”. The lowest level of law, according to Aquinas is human law; the law created by us and abided by in everyday life in order to from a recognisable structure in society.
He said, in Summa Theologica, "Whatever man desires, he desires it under the aspect of good." Fulfilling our purpose is the only ‘good’ for humans. Natural law also implies precepts which should be followed but can also be expanded upon with secondary precepts, the primary being preserving life, having a well ordered society, producing offspring and learning about God, now these primary precepts may be expanded upon as long as they are not disobeyed. Aquinas argued that the self should be maintained. As a result, Natural Law supports certain virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance) that allow the self to fulfil its purpose.
Explain Natural Law theory Those who have an absolutist approach to ethics have an explanation of where they can get knowledge of morality from and how humans understand right and wrong. Thomas Aquinas was a Christian philosopher and he developed an argument for Natural Law from the work of Aristotle, who said that whatever is natural is unchangeable and has the same power and effect everywhere. His theory is absolutist and deontological as it is a strict guide to be followed no matter what the situation is, meaning it is focused on the ethics around actions. The Roman Catholic Church used it for help and guidance. Aristotle asked the question of ‘how does it happen?’ and believed that every object has a purpose.
The ultimate law is Eternal Law. These are the principles by which God made and controls the universe which only God can understand completely. We can have a partial understanding of these laws through ‘reflections’. Aquinas argued that we can understand these laws more by using human reason. He was influenced by Aristotle’s view that humans, like all objects in this realm, have a specific purpose.
The humanistic approach has been praised for its great emphasis on autonomy, the idea that we have control over everything we do. The approach also emphasises positivity and is immensely positive about human nature. Therefore it is no surprise that one of the main assumptions of humanism is that we are involved in life as opposed to being an abstraction to it. Humanistic psychologists also believe that all people have a strive towards self actualisation, a state in which we are at peace with the world and ourselves. Maslow presented the idea of the hierarchy of needs, a table that describes how one passes through stages in their life to become self actualised.
There is a Form of everything we know. Forms are perfect which means that they are unchanging, eternal and therefore cannot exist in this world. Forms give us knowledge and exist in the Realm of the Forms. Forms must exist because we know things without seeing them or being told what they are. For example there is a form of beauty, which explains why we can all understand and know what beauty is, without the need to be told every time.
Natural law is the theory that an eternal, absolute moral law can be discovered by reason the belief that all laws and morality is constant throughout the universe and, regardless of where you are or what time zone you are in, morality stays constant. For example, murder is considered a wrongdoing in many different countries. Natural law is part of our human nature and contributes for the search of happiness and fulfilment. The reason such morality is remains constant is due to the fact that it was determined by G-d and thus cannot be changed. In order to decide whether an act is 'right' or 'wrong', the primary precepts are used for any action or deed.
In this paper I will discuss the philanthropic acts of Prometheus from Hesiod's Theogony and how they reflected on John D. Rockefeller Jr and his contributions to society. I will also explain the hectic relationship between Zeus and Prometheus and relate it to the relationship between Nelson Rockefeller and one of his artists Diego Rivera. Lastly I will propose that the Rockefeller's saw some aspects of themselves in each of the mythical artworks in the Rockefeller Center. In Hesiod’s Theogony, Prometheus loves human beings. He wants them to progress civilization so he does what is necessary.