Aristotle part 2 Happiness

A discussion of Aristotle's understanding of happiness as the ultimate human goal or desire

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Aristotle
• happiness
• self-sufficient
• final
• attainable
• soul

[macameron12]

Very impressive. How would you best describe the difference between Intellectual Virtue and Moral Virtue? Why is moral virtue a mean between two extremes?

[wmiller24]

A moral virtue is a mean between two extremes, because that is how Aristotle described it. In other words, this was Aristotle's personal concept of virtue.  Most likely, he was primarily thinking of virtues such as courage or temperance. Courage, does not mean being foolhardy or cowardly, and temperance does not imply either gluttony and drunkenness or complete abstinence from food and drink. Ultimately, what Aristotle meant by virtue was "appropriate behavior."

[moveonupcb]

Well explained. Whats your view? do you think virtue can be taught?

[wmiller24]

I believe that virtue can be taught, but only by people who live virtuously. There is no greater detriment to ethical living than a hypocrite who preaches one thing and then practices something else.

[GrassNLuna]

Great, ty this was very helpful

[vatulelegirl]

This is really great. Very useful and well explained. thank you.

[defiantHipHop]

Money doesn't bring happiness, The things you buy bring you happiness

[wmiller24]

All of Aristotle's ethics are based on the idea that happiness is the ultimate goal or chief end of human beings. He also believed that being happy meant living a virtuous life, or a life that was guided by reason. Aristotle talked about three parts to the soul: the vegetative, the animal, and the human or rational part. The vegetative part is simply that part of our soul and body which operates automatically; the animal is where our desires arise; it is irrational but must be guided by reason.

[wmiller24]

If you watch my video on Aristotle and practical reason, it may help you. The main point is that Plato believed in a separate world, the topos noetos, where ideal forms existed, and if you wanted to be virtuous, you needed to contemplate the ideal forms of these virtues. Aristotle does not believe in a topos noetos. He believes that universal forms (dog, cat, human, etc.) exist only within the thing itself. Therefore, to live virtuously, you must imitate the behavior of virtuous people.

[sharina1985]

Do you think that by achieving happiness, it then in turn helps make you a more effective person?

[moveonupcb]

I sometimes think the only important virtue in life is courage(usually for action) when it comes down to it. I agree with Henry Miller 'No man is great enough or wise enough for any of us to surrender our destiny to. The only way in which anyone can lead us is to restore to us the belief in our own guidance.

[moveonupcb]

Which people in History would you consider virtuous out of interest?

[moveonupcb]

I agree but sometimes difficult to see who are hypocrites and who not. How would you categorize a millionaire pop star who gives a lot of money to the poor but dines out in extravagant restaurants and has 4 or five mansions? Are we not all hypocrites from another's perspective? I kind of agree with Plato that it can't be taught but is some kind of self divine? discovery. Did Aristotle really believe it can be taught or that we just give people pointers.