Aristotles Political Virtues Essay - 3455 Words

Aristotles Political Virtues ABSTRACT: This paper argues that Aristotle conceives happiness not primarily as an exercise of virtue in private or with friends, but as the exercise of virtue in governing an ideal state. The best states are knit together so tightly that the interests of one person are the same as the interests of all. Hence, a person who acts for his or her own good must also act for the good of all fellow citizens. It follows that discussions of Aristotle’s altruism and egoism are misconceived. Why does Aristotle think that the good life must be lived in a state (polis)? It is usually supposed that the state serves to provide the security and stability that individuals need for virtuous acts.(1) Though it is also†¦show more content†¦On the contrary, instead of individual virtue aided by a concerned friend, Aristotles account of the best friendships emphasizes mutual interest and common activity. In this paper I shall go a step further: happiness not only requires living with friends in a state, but consists of governing a state. My aim is to show that Aristotle maintains that the best states are knit together so tightly that the interests of one person are the same as the interests of all and that the virtues he describes in his ethics are meant to be exercised in the governance of such a state.(7) It is just because governing the state (or rather the polis) fulfills the individuals potential for acts of virtue that the state is said, in the Politics, to be by nat ure. I That some virtues are best exercised in political activity(8) can be seen from their definitions. Courage, for example, is a disposition toward a particular behavior in battle: Properly (kurios) the courageous man might be said to be fearless of noble death and all that suddenly brings death, most especially in war (N.E. III.6.1115a32-34). States, not individuals, go to war; so only people who live in or act with states could be properly courageous. Likewise, Aristotle declares that political justice or, apparently equivalently, simple justice is found in a lifeShow MoreRelatedThe Nature of Man as Political Animal Essay1723 Words   |  7 Pages Not everyone will agree with Aristotles political theory, but it is essential to understand the principals that underline the new political theories. Aristotles politics is one of the most influential books of political philosophy. His main ideology consists in that a man is by nature a political animal because he can reason and communicate with others, therefore, has the potential to alter or change his living conditions for better because he can recognize the difference from right or wrong.Read MoreAristotle Essay1238 Words   |  5 Pages The primary concern of political theorists is to determine by what form of constitution the state will most likely succeed. According to Aristotle the definition of political success means the general happiness of the citizenry. Both Aristotle and James Q. Wilson share the belief that molding excellent character within the citizenry is the first and most important step towards solidifying the happiness of the state as a whole. The basic structure of Aristotle’s philosophies are derived byRead More Foundations of Political Thought Essays1664 Words   |  7 Pagesto Plato and his Allegory of the Cave. Conversely, Aristotle takes a more political science approach of discussing and analyzing various constitutions to determine the best form of government, where the rational beings in a society are the natural rulers. Aristotle promotes the idea of rule based on law rather than simple superiority. The differences in these beliefs are important because of the implications of A ristotle’s writings, which provide a way for citizens and statesmen to utilize philosophyRead MoreAristotle s Highest Good Theorem1037 Words   |  5 PagesPhil 100 A01 Essay 2 Aristotle’s Highest Good Theorem When Aristotle first published his work entitled â€Å"Nicomachean Ethics†, you can imagine that numerous philosophers, scholars, and ordinary citizens were deeply contemplating his idea of the Highest Good Through the actions of virtue and reason, the act contemplation satisfies Aristotle’s characteristics as the Highest Good Being a self-sufficient, and complete activity, the ability to understand our function as human beings through contemplationRead MoreAristotle Virtue Ethics Essays807 Words   |  4 PagesAristotles Virtue Ethics The philosophy of virtue ethics, which primarily deals with the ways in which a person should live, has puzzled philosophers from the beginning of time. There are many contrasting interpretations regarding how one should live his or her life in the best way possible. It is in my opinion that the Greeks, especially Aristotle, have exhibited the most logical explanation of how to live the good life. The following paper will attempt to offer a detailed understandingRead MoreWhat We Don t Talk About Service1324 Words   |  6 PagesAs one of the fundamental texts in the discussion of ethics, Nicomachean Ethics outlines Aristotle’s idea of eudaimonia, as the ultimate goal of a good and successful human life, achieved through habitual practices of moral virtues. Unlike a contemporary understanding of happiness (a type of feeling), happiness to the Greeks was an â€Å"activity of soul† - a reflection of a person’s position in the community and mindfully acting to liv e in a good way (happiness as an action). In â€Å"What We Don’t Talk AboutRead MoreThe Role Of Happiness . â€Å"Happiness Is The Meaning And The1326 Words   |  6 Pageswell-being of the individual. Kant however opposes Aristotle’s view on happiness in morality, stating â€Å"morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we make ourselves worthy of happiness.† The role of happiness in morality seems to be pertinent for morality to exist. However, is it happiness through virtue for the individual, or is happiness for the majority the key to a wonderful life? Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle’s discussion of the Socratic question on how men shouldRead MoreNichomachean Ethics’ Book Was Written By Aristotle Between1145 Words   |  5 Pagesother known philosophers were the Plato and Socrates. My view on the book can be derived from the title itself â€Å"Nichomachean† which means victory for example in battle and from the term â€Å"ethics† which means virtue or a code of conduct. From the two words, one can derive that the book entails virtues of being a winner, or how one should conduct themselves to be victorious. One of my best books written by Aristotle is politics from book III. In this book Aristotle talks citizens and governmentRead MoreAristotle on Friendship Essay1134 Words   |  5 Pagesand IX of the Nicomachean Ethics deal solely with this topic. A modern day definition of a friend can be defined as â€Å"one joined to another in intimacy and mutual benevolence independently of sexual or family love†. (Oxford English Dictionary). Aristotle’s view on friendship is much broader than this. His arguments are certainly not flawless. In this essay I will outline what Aristotle said about friendship in the Nichomachaen Ethics and highlight possible flaws in his arguments. FriendshipRead More Aristotles Doctrine of the Mean Essay1017 Words   |  5 PagesAristotles Doctrine of the Mean When we consider the questions of how we ought to live our lives, we often seek for some schematic that we can employ to help us categorize actions or qualities as good, bad, or indifferent. Such a means of organization would indeed make it easier to determine what the right thing to do is. Aristotle once attempted to formulate a similar plan. His ethics used a scheme by which characteristics could be measured and the right amount attained. Such an account is

A Collection of Famous Quotations About Time

Time and tide await none. The powerful tide of time overpowers everything: kingdoms fall, evil dies, relationships change, seasons wither, and the new sun rises. Here is a collection of famous time quotes. Time Quotes Benjamin Franklin: Remember that time is money.Never leave that till  to-morrow  which you can do  to-day.Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. John Keats: As though a rose should shut and be a bud again. Edgar Allen Poe: Years of love have been forgot in the hatred of a minute.Keeping time, time, time, In a sort of Runic rhyme, To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells, From the bells, bells, bells. Francis Bacon: ï » ¿The worlds a bubble, and the life of man, less than a span.Histories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtle; natural philosophy, deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend. William Wordsworth: Sweet childish days that were as long as twenty days are now. Ralph Waldo Emerson: Can anybody remember when the times were not hard and money not scarce?Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy. Alexander Poe: For he lives twice who can at once employ, The present well, and even the past enjoy.ï » ¿Tis with our judgments as our watches—none go just alike, yet each believes his own. Walt Whitman: ï » ¿To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, every cubic inch of space is a miracle.

Essay on Racism in Deadly Unna by Phillip Gwynne - 1182 Words

Deadly Unna Deadly Unna is the story of Garry Blacks realization of racism and discrimination in the port where he lives. When everyone else seems do nothing to prevent the discrimination Blacky a young boy steps up to the plate and has the guts to say no against racism towards the local Aborigines. Blacky is beginning to realize that the people he looks up to as role models might not be such good examples as most of them including his father his footy coach and even the pub custodian all accept racism as a normal way of life and Blacky begins to realize this and tries to make them aware. At the beginning Blacky becomes aware of the apartheid of white and black first in the players at the local footy team, the†¦show more content†¦(whos father was coach of the team) only received the reward because he was the best white player. Blacky first realizes that racism isn?t just a local phenomenon and that it is not just the kids but the entire community who have grown accustomed to racism. at the game in Tangaratta, when Blacky gets into a fight with Mad Dog (a local kid). Dumby comes to Blackys rescue and subsequently ends up in a physical fight with mad dog. When Mad Dog gives up and puts out his hand as a piece offering he takes a cheap shot at Dumby and says ?Don?t shake hands with no Boongs? pg 121 (Boongs Australia an offensive term for an Aboriginal Encarta online). Blacky uses this as an excuse to be friends with Dumby so that the others wouldn?t think he was sympathetic to the Nungas. On grand final day Blacky goes for a smoke with Clarence (Dumbys sister) in the shed down by the jetty Clarence sat down under the words Boongs piss off. this made Blacky feel uncomfortable and guilty even though he had not written it, ?I felt guilty in some way . I hadn?t written it, but I hadn?t scratched it out either? Pg.122. Blacky felt accountable not because he was responsible for the racist graffiti but because he had no covered it up. Blacky suggests to Clarence that they go under the jetty to prevent Clarence from seeing it and they do. This is an example of Blackys personality he felt responsible for something that he did not do. Towards the end of theShow MoreRelatedAnalytical Essay: ‘Deadly Unna?’932 Words   |  4 PagesAnalytical Essay: ‘Deadly Unna?’ The compassionate novel Deadly Unna?, written by Phillip Gwynne, creates vivid characters and depicts race discourses experienced by Gary Black (also known as Blacky) in a fictitious South Australian coastal community. The novel portrays a typical coastal town of the 1970s and is set mainly in the Port: the local Pub, the Black family home and the jetty, where the local children play. The story explores the racism between the Nungas (the indigenous populationRead MoreDeadly Unna Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesPhillip Gwyne’s novel, â€Å"Deadly Unna?† explores how the main character Gary Black, a white boy from the â€Å"Port† also known as â€Å"Blacky† grows up by not agreeing to racism. Blacky experiences prejudice and friendship from both the aboriginal and white communities. Blacky begins to develop a greater tolerance for aborigines and their culture, and then he further attempts to apply this knowledge to the intolerant and prejudiced town in which he lives. The boy who helps him shift in his opinion of aborigines

Coral Reef and Australia free essay sample

The great outback! Hey mate! Ever wanted to take an adventurous trip somewhere, but you’re not sure where? Well Australia would be the perfect place to start! Three reasons why Australia should be the first place you visit are for starters, the amazing scenery and beauty of the country, Secondly the exquisite variety of food, and lastly, the unique culture. Australia has one of the most breath taking sceneries in the world, all the way from the Great Barrier Reef to the city of Melbourne. The Great Barrier Reef is known for being the largest coral reef in the world; it is so incredibly vast that it can even be seen all the way from outer space. It is also unbelievably beautiful. Other beautiful places to visit in Australia are the Sydney harbor, which was the first settlement in Australia and you can also find the iconic Sydney opera house there, the beautiful island of Tasmania which is the most mountainous region of Australia and is dotted with beautiful flowing rivers and waterfalls, and also another iconic symbol of Australia the Uluru rock, this rock is famed for its amazing color changes as the sun sets and rises. We will write a custom essay sample on Coral Reef and Australia or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Australia has so many beautiful sights to visit, which is one fantastic reason to visit Australia. Australian cuisine can vary from your common everyday food that we have here in America, to all kinds of interesting and exotic foods native to Australia. The term â€Å"bush tucker† is used to describe a certain type of cuisine in Australia, that is made up of the native foods in Australia, such as kangaroo, emu, or even crocodile. A lot of foods in Australia contain seafood, as Australia is the third largest fishing zone in the world. Some iconic foods of Australia are, for one, the Chiko roll, a deep-fried savory roll that is also similar to a spring roll. Other iconic foods are vegemite, macadamia nuts, violet crumble, cherry ripe Jaffa’s, and many other different foods. The food in Australia is often described as exotic and delicious. This stimulating food variety is just another great reason why Australia should be at the top on your list of places to visit. The culture in Australia is very interesting and fun, especially if you’re into surfing and water sports, which are very big in Australia, along with other sports such as rugby, cricket, and soccer. Australia is also big into country music, which may come as a surprise to some people, but some great country singers have come from Australia such as Keith Urban. The common apparel in Australia is called surf wear or bush wear, and is very popular among many of the Australian people. As far as religion goes, Australia has no official one, but according to the Australian census, most people are either Christian or irreligious. Most of the Christian are either Roman Catholic, Anglican, or apart of the uniting church. As you now know, Australia has a very interesting and diverse culture, which is the last reason why you should make visiting Australia a priority. In conclusion, Australia is stunningly gorgeous and has many captivating sights and historical scenery to visit while you’re there. It also has a very unique and beloved cuisine that is unlike any other in the world and accordingly very great tasting. Lastly, the variety of culture is just amazing and so fascinating. These are the three main reasons why your next vacation should be a trip to the great outback! See you ther!