PHIL 101: Introduction to Philosophy.



Table of Contents

Introduction1

Comparison and Contrast1

Strengths and Weaknesses2

Aristotle's Virtue ethics2

Kant's Deontology3

My Opinion5

References6

PHIL 101: Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction

This paper compares and contrasts the two theories of ethics, Kant's Deontology and Aristotle's virtue ethics. Both theories have different approach towards the same goal, the ethics, being good and describing what is good action. Their comparison and contrast provides in depth understanding of the two theories and judging their practicality. This paper also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the two theories. Finally, I have injected my opinion regarded the correctness of each theory and what is convincing for me the most.

Comparison and Contrast

Virtue ethics by Aristotle is concerned with answering that, how to become a good person and then defining actions which a good person will do. According to Aristotle, a person is good, if having virtues. Kant describes the good actions. According to Kant actions describe a person good or bad as oppose to Aristotle. Kant says that actions are good if it is motivated by the moral duty.

Aristotle believes that people knowingly do the right thing and wrong thing and a bad person is who fails to do right things while knowing them. Aristotle believes that the world is teleological and it views that, all humans naturally try to reach their potential and be happy (Chaffee, 2012). Aristotle holds that, being good person is acting according to the right actions and not just in knowing them (Darwall, and Stephen. 2003). Ethics is science according to both Kant and Aristotle. Therefore, these actions will ultimately lead to some goals. According to Aristotle three goals are distinct, instrumental goals, intrinsic goals, and instrumental goals. This theory predicts that happiness the ultimate goal that people want to achieve. Kant rejects the idea of virtues and being happy as the ultimate goal. An evil person can be courageous, and that happiness can lead to pride, sloth, and presumption provided the will of the person is bad.

As per the view of Aristotle, the Happiness differs from pleasure. Happiness is actually a living well and life well lived. According to Aristotle, human beings have a function. This function is rationality, and therefore, happiness is nothing but acting rationally well. The virtues are qualities that allow the humans to fulfill their function. Intellectual wisdom combined with the moral virtues make up the total virtues. Formal education imparts the intellectual virtues while habits define the moral virtues.

Kant theory is termed as Deontological theory of ethics, it places duty at the center and not the good person as Aristotle does. Kant views that, actions are good if they are motivated by the universal moral laws. A poison has to willingly perform actions for the sake of recognizing the duty and not just fulfilling virtue. Two people can be honest, one might be to pursue business and other might be to fulfill the duty. Moral duties are generated by the moral laws.

Moral law as per the Kant is the Categorical imperative, which is the duty to obey ...