Aristotles Philosophy on Purpose Essay - 884 Words

Aristotle, the last of the great Greek philosophers. He roamed Ancient Greece from 384 BC until his death in 323 BC. In this time, he wrote an enormous amount of works, a variety of books from metaphysics to politics and to poetry. His variety is exceptionally impressive. His greatest known works are the Athenian Constitution and Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle’s works of Ethics explore a vast area of topics. He states, â€Å"The goal of the Ethics is to determine how best to achieve happiness.† In order to achieve happiness, one must live a virtuous life, in the mind of Aristotle. Interest is sparked in this area that Aristotle writes of because there is a natural need for Ethics in human life. John K. Roth states, â€Å"Aristotle assumes that†¦show more content†¦The intellectual virtue provides one with the skill to calculate outcomes and make rational decisions. This character trait contributes to the unity of virtues because; if one lacks this component, the ‘practical’ part of wisdom is eliminated. As Aristotle says, â€Å"Wisdom must be intuitive reason combined with scientific knowledge.† By analyzing this quotation, it is understood that ‘intuitive reason’ is referencing moral virtue and ‘scientific knowledge’ is referencing intellectual virtue. He is saying that moral and intellectual virtue must co-exist to create wisdom. To support moral virtue Aristotle states, â€Å"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.† The reason one needs the intellectual v irtue is because there is always a variable in life. Every situation is always different, slightly or drastically, but different none-the-less. This commands a skill to decipher these situations, which Aristotle calls the virtue of intellect. However, this virtue cannot do it’s job of deciphering situations properly on it’s own, resulting in the need for the virtue of morality. It is equally important to have the virtue of morality because, one can decipher a situation with pure intellect, but it will result with a solution morally incorrect. It would be beneficial, but it will lack any standard of justice or honour. With the lack of moral correctness, Eudaimonia is notShow MoreRelatedAristotle s Views On Fortune1154 Words   |  5 PagesIn this paper, I will discuss Aristotle’s and Boethius’ (Through Lady Philosophy) views on fortune, reflected in the Book 1 of the Nicomachean Ethics and Book 4 of The Consolation of Philosophy. Furthermore, I will present and analyze their arguments, present the conclusion, and make a claim about which ancient philosopher makes the best argument. I will talk about Lady Philosophy’s conclusion that all fortune is capable of benefiting a person, and Aristotle’s inference that even a good and virtuousRead MoreAristotle s Contributions Of Western Philosophy1124 Words   |  5 PagesHis contributio ns to Western philosophy are in the areas of nature, nature, logic, metaphysics, the soul, morality, and politics. He was one of Plato’s students and studied under him for twenty years in the academy in Athens. He started to lecture about his on top of rhetoric. Aristotle became well known for his philosophies he began to tutor Phillip of Macedon son Alexander. After the death of Phillip’s, the school of platonic was a dominant and flourishing philosophy of Platonism. Aristotle wasRead MoreEssay on Matrix 2678 Words   |  3 PagesPhilosophy Matrix II: Ancient Quest for Truth Name: Use the matrix to analyze Plato and Aristotle’s theory of knowledge and apply both to current day practices. 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I agree that a human’s goal in life is to be happy, and to live a good life but happiness and good do not come hand in hand. In this paper, I disagreeRead MoreDistinctions and Comparisons between Aristotle and Plato Essay1681 Words   |  7 Pagestheory of forms, where deducted and critiqued by Aristotle. Both philosophers can be viewed as having opposing ideologies. Nonetheless, Plato and Aristotle are in agreement on certain factors of their philosophy. Many have scrutinized and compared the dissimilarities and similarities of Aristotles doctrine of categories and Platos theory of forms. The observations found are of an interesting nature. The beauty behind the writings of Plato is to not accept what is interpreted through the sensesRead MorePlato s System Of Metaphysics1049 Words   |  5 PagesAdrian Farrales Introduction to Philosophy Metaphysics 11/6/14 Plato’s system of metaphysics revolves around the concept of Eidos, or forms. 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