These aims can be separated into subordinate and superior aims. Ultimately every aim is subordinate to the superior aim; eudemonia. Aristotle believed that whenever we do something, we do it to gain an end, and that the ultimate end is eudemonia. In order to achieve eudemonia we must practice. By practising we improve our virtues and so become happy and live good lives.
For Socrates, upholding justice leads to this state, while for Epictetus, it is about being in accord with nature. For Epicurus, it is about maximizing pleasure through removing all pain. I will expound on these below. We will first consider how each philosopher views justice as a means to achieving the ideal human state. To Socrates, his action was right and thus he chose not to flee as he felt that upholding justice was very important and the most righteous and virtuous thing to do.
Explain the difference between Act and Rule Utilitarianism. Why is Rule utilitarianism proposed as an alternative to act-based forms of the theory? Clearly describe each version of utilitarianism and explain which form you think is to be preferred, and why. Utilitarianism was described by Jeremy Bentham as "the greatest happiness principle" [1] Wikipedia defines Utilitarianism as an ethical theory holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall "happiness" [2]. From these 2 definitions it is apparent that it is a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined only by its resulting outcome, and that one can only weigh the morality of an action after knowing all its consequences.
Aristotle says that we are considered to be good when we perform our function well, when we are excellent at our purpose in life. Epictetus presents the same idea, that we should perform our function well as if we are actors in a play, and “…what is [ours] is to play the assigned part well.” Plato speaks of function as our arete, that the human’s arete is to be just, and that justice is the arete of the soul. Reality versus
He is saying that human beings try and steer away from pain and drive toward getting as much pleasure as possible. Bentham saw this as a moral fact. The word utilitarianism comes from the word utility meaning usefulness. Bentham theory of utilitarianism may have been influenced by this as he believes in the greatest happiness for the greatest number. This theory is related to utility as he is saying that if more people are happier this will be more useful across the world.
The concept of virtue ethics by the philosopher Aristotle looks at how we should not look at the right and wrong actions we do by following guidelines, but look at us as human beings becoming virtuous people, through doing virtuous things. The statement of the weaknesses of virtue ethics outweighing the strengths is to an extent true, in particular when you look at the limitations of virtue ethics when claiming the doctrine of mean. Firstly by looking at the aim if virtue ethics we can gain an insight to the whole concept, Aristotle claimed that in life our aim is to reach fulfilment of happiness, which he called eudemonia. To achieve eudemonia you have to practice virtues and achieve these virtues, through education, emulation and experience. So we learn the virtue by copying someone who is a role model or mentor to confirm our virtue is right and finally practice and experience said virtue.
Aristotle believes we practice good virtues for a greater reason, the superior aim in life is to achieve the supreme good, which is happiness. For Aristotle, happiness or fulfilment was the goal and purpose of life. In this understanding he meant more than just pleasure, he understood this in three different ways. First being happiness as a life of enjoyment of pleasure, second happiness as a free member of society, and last happiness as a philosopher. In order to achieve the eudaimonia, Aristotle believed that you had to practise skills or virtues to achieve happiness and live good lives.
Unit I Essay: Conflicting Roles and Responsibilities by Daniel Ostroff 1. Utilitarianism is a type of consequentialism developed by the philosophers, Jeremy Bentham and John Stewart Mill. It functions on what Mill’s calls “the greatest happiness principle,” and is also referred to as the principle of utility. This principle examines the consequences of any act aiming to achieve the greatest happiness or “the greater good for the greatest number”. The theory’s central question is: how we ought to act.
Since happiness depends on living in accordance with appropriate virtues, Aristotle discusses how a virtuous person is disposed and what type of life is the most superior life to live. Given the character of the human soul, Aristotle claims that the contemplative life is the highest form of flourishing. Aristotle’s perception of the human soul is closer to our perception of the human mind. Unlike traditional views of the soul, Aristotle claims that the soul is not immortal and is not separate from the body. He sees the soul as dependent on the body and is created merely for the purpose of development.
Psyche is the human capacity for reflective thinking and also the consciousness of the soul. "The unexamined life is a life not worth living." is a quote from Socrates that supports his views on psyche. It states that when a person does not examine his life to find his true self, or excellence of function, that they are ignoring their true self and that a false life is not worth the time to live it. So an examined life will find its true self or what its function is and want to perform its function well.