Kant Vs Aristotle Analysis

Aristotle was born in circa 384 B.C in Stagira, Greece(Aristotle ‘384-322 B.C.E.’ par 1). Both of his parents had a connection in the field of medicine and his father Nichomachus was the court physician to King Amyntas of Macedonia (Gill par 1) his first close tie to the kingdom. His parents passed away when he was young, and at the age of 17, his guardian and sister's husband, Proxenus, sent him to Athens, to complete his education (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy par 3). Proxenus also taught Aristotle Greek, rhetoric and poetry (“Aristotle.” Aristotle Biography par 6). In Athens, Aristotle enrolled into Plato's academy, studying under him for 20 years and even taught at the academy (Dunn par 1).

The good life defined by Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics is a feasible goal that all humans should be able to aim for but restrictions make it impossible for all citizens of ancient Greece to achieve it which foreshadows the gender and racial stereotypes that can be seen in our culture today. Aristotle questions this claim by having an inner debate with himself in the process, he creates many theories, but he clarifies what he determines to be the good life by saying, ”Our present discussion does not aim, as our others do, at study; for the purpose of our examination is not to know what virtue is but to become good, since otherwise the inquiry would be of no benefit to us.”(1103b25 ff) It is a misconception that Eudaimonia means happiness

During the 17th and 18th century two philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, arose carving for themselves a trench in the philosophical world. We can see the biggest distinction between the two in their theories of how we know things exist. The traditions of Plato and Aristotle have been dubbed rationalism and empiricism respectively. Under these traditions many well known philosophers have formed their own theories of God, existence and the material world. Through these individual theories I will show how each fits into the category of either Rationalist or Imperialist. The Plutonian philosophers to be

This video showed many people that were searching for ways to be happy. Not just momentarily happy, but happy for the long run. We saw the journeys that; Jimmy, Diana, Jerry, Catherine, Richard, Tim and Chris, went on to find true happiness. Aristotle believed that happiness was called Eudaimonia, meaning good interior spirit. This interior spirit was more permanent and solid than what happiness is.

To begin, Aristotle and Kant’s distinction regarding the source of virtuous or dutiful action is primarily focused on the assertion of how to act in accordance of the moral law. Aristotle believes “that every action or pursuit aims at a good” (NE, Pg. 24), but their disagreement being as to what the good is. Aristotle believes “that right action is not only morally correct but also occurs with pleasure, and that the pleasure is a sign that the virtuous disposition has been acquired” (NE, Pg.5). On the other hand, Kant believes “that every action or pursuit must be done out of duty, which reflects one’s respect for the moral law” (Lecture 13, Slide 13). The end result of this action is not significant for Kant. This inference leads Kant to

Aristotle is one of the greatest thinkers in the history of western philosophy, and is most notably known for expressing his view of happiness in Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle develops a theory of how to live the good life and reach eudaimonia (happiness). Eudaimonia has been translated into, living a happy and virtuous life. Aristotle’s definition of the good life as the happy life, consist of balancing virtues (arête), the mean, external goods, political science, and voluntary action.

Aristotle illustrates happiness or eudomania in his early writings. He saw happiness as the “virtuous activity of the soul in accordance to reason” and it being “the highest end of our desires”. To be happy, one must pursue activities that are directed towards the good, both for oneself  or society as a whole. One’s actions therefore leads to a higher purpose. Happiness however, is not just limited to what is within ourselves, it also has much to do with other goods such as pleasure, wealth and honour. Without these goods, one is never truly happy because it is lacking the necessary goods in his life. One uses these goods as a reasoning for our actions by focusing on the idea that “the good is that to which all

Eudaimonia. This is the key to an ideal life, well according to Aristotle. Eudaimonia is the Greek translation for happiness, “human flourishing”, or well-being. One of Aristotle’s main questions in his work, Nicomachaen Ethics, is “How should we live?” As stated in Aristotle’s Nicomachaean Ethics to live a eudemonic life or “to flourish,” you must first become a great-souled person. To Aristotle the great-souled person is the ideal human being, the person we all aspire to be (Yonkins 34). Aristotle believes that happiness or aretê is the main goal that we all should be reaching for in life. As long as a person is striving to do good deeds, good deeds will also happen to them in return thus making them a more happy and virtuous person. As stated

What constitutes a “good life”? Aristotle sought the answer to this question. Two books, Nicomachean ethics and Eudemuan ethics, were dedicated to discovering what a good life is. He reached the conclusion that when someone acts, they are always striving towards some final goal. So how did Aristotle explain “eudaimonia” or perfect happiness? Eudaimonia is the ultimate good we strive towards, that requires no further questioning. What he means by no further questioning is this. Something that is the final good you want to acquire from your work. Aristotle looked over several possible answers before coming to his conclusion. First there is honor. But, we see that honor is just another tool to reach ultimate fulfillment. Likewise, pleasure

Eudaimonia translates to happiness. Many believe that eudaimonia is the best happiness that someone should strive for. “According to eudaimonist virtue ethics, the good life is the eudaimon life, and the virtues are what enable a human being to be eudaimon because the virtues just are those character traits that benefit their possessor in that way, barring bad luck” (Hursthouse & Pettigrove, 2003). Aristotle believes that this virtue is the best to achieve because it is what helps to guide you in the right path to true happiness. Being able to achieve that happiness for you and to be able to show others the way to be able to get that happiness is what his goal

The common thing here is food or good grades are the outside factors. Happiness depends on the outside factors; therefore, it can change anytime. Eudaimonia is completely opposite. It cannot be easily changed, neither come nor leave because It does not depend on anything. Eudaimonia is intrinsic to human beings. Only human beings can experience Eudaimonia, the highest pleasure. One may ask what exactly the Eudaimonia is, if it is possible to be identified. Aristotle answer the four questions about it: Is it pleasure, honor, wealth or excellence? First, Eudaimonia is not pleasure. Pleasure is vulgar. People generally do not pursue pleasure for its own sake, pleasure is the side reward obtained from doing something else. Eudaimonia is not honor. One can only have honor when others give him. It solely depends on outside factors. Eudaimonia is not wealth. Wealth is used to get something else. Eudaimonia is not excellence (Arete). Excellence is entailed to the activities that one does. However, a person may possess excellence even when he does not do anything. Excellence is not sufficient in itself. Aristotle does agree that all these things are part of the Eudaimonia. We are able to have all of these good things because our souls have different parts that take care of different function in our life. The most important of course is the rational part of the soul. As stated above, it is important

We can also see different aspects of Aristotle’s ethics that differ from his predecessors Plato and Socrates; an emphasis on virtuous activity, whereas Aristotle’s is possessing of the virtue, from the other candidates, happiness is a pleasure whereas Aristotle’s description is happiness only consist of virtuous activity.

“Happiness is the highest good, being a realization and perfect practice of virtue, which some can attain, while others have little or none of it...” (Aristotle) . The relationship between virtue and happiness have an close and personal relationship . Virtue is necessary for eudaimonia but it is not sufficient for eudaimonia . Aristotle believes that virtue is most important to eudaimonia , because eudaimonia involves activity which is exhibiting excellence or virtue . Eudaimonia will be gained when something is developed properly . To exhibit something well one must do it with excellence ; therefore eudaimonia is dependent on virtue . In order to live a happy life a person must be virtuous , and in order to be virtuous someone must act in the right way and live by the right sort of reasons . For

Eudaimonia is a Greek word, translated its means “the state of having a good welling spirit, a good genius” (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Usually people idea of happiness is a state of mind. Aristotle argues that Eudaimonia is not a state of mind on or accompanying certain activities.

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, “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.