Kant And Aristotle s Views On Ethics And Morals - 1480 Words

Alyson Huttlin Professor Strom Philosophy 300 Class Section 1200 Recitation-Tuesday 10am 2/11/2015 What Is The Highest Good? Immanuel Kant and Aristotle are two of the most prominent philosophers on ethics and morals. Each has their own idea about human life and what the highest good is. It has even been said that in his Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals Kant disproves Aristotle’s view. In order to prove that Kant successfully disproves Aristotle’s theory, we must first understand both theories. After a successful understanding has been acquired only then can we prove that Kant’s completely disproves Aristotle’s theory. In the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals Kant explains that there are many goods including happiness, food and desires, but there is only one highest good. This highest good is a good without qualification. The implication being that this highest good is inherently good in itself. Kant further explains that there is only one highest good or one good without qualification which is good will. Good without qualification is a bit vague so Kant has several criteria involved in determining what it is and why good will satisfies them. Good will comes from doing actions out of duty. The definition of duty here is similar to the sense of pledge. This is very specific in that the action must be done because of duty, not simply in accordance with duty (Kant 10). Performing actions in this way gives the action itself moral worth. Both duty and moral worthShow MoreRelated Ethical and Philosophical Questions about Value and Obligation977 Words   |  4 PagesQuestions about Value and Obligation I Recall the distinction between metaethics and normative ethics. Normative ethics deals with substantial ethical issues, such as, What is intrinsically good? What are our moral obligations? Metaethics deals with philosophical issues about ethics: What is value or moral obligation? 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At this time I answered the question by stating that ethics is what people believe is right and wrong. I now know that this answer is much too vague. Many people may reply in a similar fashion that our class did because ethics is a hard thing to define and there is no one right answer because it is different for everyone. Ethics has many aspects associated with it, not just right or wrong. Through the writings of Aristotle, Kant, Mayo, and Rawls I am goingRead MoreThe Ethical Theories Of Philosophy Essay2014 Words   |  9 PagesSurname 9 Name: Instructor s name: Course: 13 April 2016 ETHICAL THEORIES IN PHILOSOPHY Section one: Introduction Part of being human is the ability to distinguish good from bad and vice versa (Rachels 9). Human nature is a ground for practical and moral norms that is; morality directs us to real human fulfilment. Great thinkers have formulated and developed a significant number of enduring moral principles over the centuries. Philosophy, like other social fields and also like individualsRead MoreEthics, Utilitarianism, Deontology, And Virtue Ethics1415 Words   |  6 PagesIn South Park, South Park illustrates normative ethics in society and people. The characters and scenarios are well scripted to categorize the three main theories of normative ethics; utilitarianism, deontology and virtue ethics. The show constantly displays the universal mindsets of multiple people within various situations and how one effects the other and the world. Majority of these scenarios, virtue ethics brings about the best results for those within the South Park community and the main charactersRead MorePlato And A ristotle s Theories Of Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethics1408 Words   |  6 PagesThe ancient theories of Plato and Aristotle differ greatly from the contemporary theories of Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. Plato and Aristotle focused on the importance of virtue in an individual’s life. Plato believed that purity of the soul was the most important thing in life and can be achieved by mastering the four virtues: justice, wisdom, courage, and moderation. Aristotle believed that the goal of human life was to achieve happiness, which is made possible by the cultivation of a justRead MoreAristotle s The Kindest Cut1808 Words   |  8 PagesAristotle was amongst the first known philosophers to examine morality and conduct. In fact, his approach and perspective towards ethical practice and happiness was perhaps the most influential moral philosophy up until perhaps Immanuel Kant. As such, Aristotle’s moral philosophical approach can be used to examine and understand ethi cal practices and behaviors. The particular ethical practice that will be examined in this essay will be that of Paul Wagner, the fictional character featured in Larissa