Virtuous character and good actions
Every one has their own philosophy, so do Kant and Aristotle. This paper will examine the difference in Kant’s and Aristotle’s philosophy in three ways. First, the way the major criterion they used to judge an action as good or bad. Second, what is considered to be good actions and the concept of perfect duties. Third, the major method used to develop virtuous character.
Have you ever think of what is the most important thing in your life? Kant believes that most important thing that human beings must have in their live is a motive of good will in their action. In his eyes, “A good will is good not because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some proposed end; it is good only through its willing, i.e., it is good in itself” (AK394). He suggested that people should act according to good will without considering consequences and other things in life. In other words, human should always be good. Not agreeing with his ideas, Aristotle believes that happiness is the most important thing that one should strive for in one’s life. As he said “happiness is apparently something complete and self-sufficient, since it is the end of the things achievable in action.” (Aristotle, p.8). He believes that happiness is the best good of life and we all ultimately seek for it. In …show more content…
Kant uses the concept of good will as the major criterion to judge an action as good or bad. He thinks that good actions are those that follow the universal laws and there are perfect duties for human to follow. whereas, Aristotle uses happiness as his criterion for good or bad actions. He believes there are no perfect duties that human should follow. Instead, human should act in the middle of two extremes. Lastly, Kant believes that virtuous characters are develop through theoretical study of law while Aristotle thinks that they are develop through
Every one has their own philosophy, so do Kant and Aristotle. This paper will examine the difference in Kant’s and Aristotle’s philosophy in three ways. First, the way the major criterion they used to judge an action as good or bad. Second, what is considered to be good actions and the concept of perfect duties. Third, the major method used to develop virtuous character.
Have you ever think of what is the most important thing in your life? Kant believes that most important thing that human beings must have in their live is a motive of good will in their action. In his eyes, “A good will is good not because of what it effects or accomplishes, nor because of its fitness to attain some proposed end; it is good only through its willing, i.e., it is good in itself” (AK394). He suggested that people should act according to good will without considering consequences and other things in life. In other words, human should always be good. Not agreeing with his ideas, Aristotle believes that happiness is the most important thing that one should strive for in one’s life. As he said “happiness is apparently something complete and self-sufficient, since it is the end of the things achievable in action.” (Aristotle, p.8). He believes that happiness is the best good of life and we all ultimately seek for it. In …show more content…
Kant uses the concept of good will as the major criterion to judge an action as good or bad. He thinks that good actions are those that follow the universal laws and there are perfect duties for human to follow. whereas, Aristotle uses happiness as his criterion for good or bad actions. He believes there are no perfect duties that human should follow. Instead, human should act in the middle of two extremes. Lastly, Kant believes that virtuous characters are develop through theoretical study of law while Aristotle thinks that they are develop through