Morality according to Aristotle and Hobbes
Aristotle basis of morality centers around what people fundamentally desire. Through his studies he found objects just and wealth and honors to be inadequate to human desires. He said that the ultimate goal for people should be self-sufficient, final, and attainable. In stating this he goes on to say that happiness is the only goal that meets all three of these requirements. Through this investigation it becomes clear that the whole basis of moral living to Aristotle is to find happiness in life. To find happiness Aristotle states that we must live a virtuous life, between vices, choosing neither excess nor deficiency. This definition of virtue forms the basis of how we will go about our daily activities. Instead of choosing activities b
ecause of how pleasant they are, Aristotle says that we choose good activities because they are pleasant. Though he states that this is an important aspect of moral action, he says that philosophical wisdom is superior to it. In doing this we hope to enter into a state of peace, which will in turn lead to self-preservation. Through moral obligations of giving up our rights as men, we can hope to end the state of natural war between people, and reach a state of peace where preserving oneself isn't a constant struggle against other men. He goes on to state that humans in there natural state will constantly strive for these things, which he terms powers, throughout their whole life. Therefore in closing Aristotle states and we should be moral beings so we can live a virtuous life with the practical wisdom of what choice we should make, and the philosophical wisdom to contemplate the world around us to attain what is our ultimate goal in life. Aristotle also discusses the principles of philosophical wisdom (the pursuit of truth) and practical wisdom (which brings about intelligent conduct). Once stating this he goes on to speak of the laws of nature, which are provided to counteract the rights of man, which would provide for a state of war. Thomas Hobbes According to Thomas Hobbes the primary objective and goal in life is self-preservation. In these laws of nature he says that all men should seek peace, and must enter into covenants with other men giving up there natural right to all things. The basis of practical wisdom is the union of true knowledge of what we ought to do, and the desire to do it. However he goes on to say that they are pleasant as a function of their goodness.
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