Virtue Ethics: Jeremy Bentham And John Stuart Mill

When talking about philosophy, we can ask ourselves what we prioritize. Actions plus intentions equal outcomes. Priority means morality or where it resides, also what we can consider as important. Some consider the consequences as the most important aspect of the equation. Such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. These philosophers want to maximize the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people. Also known as Utilitarianism. This focuses on the nobility of a person and that their choices will always reflect who they are. Therefore that person will always choose the idea or action to make them a better person. However, Immanuel Kant would disagree and say that intentions are to be prioritized. Also known as the study of …show more content…
At a young age Aristotle was exposed to a scientific way of thinking, allowing him to believe in “every science, investigation, every practical pursuit and every undertaking appears to aim at some good.” What is that good? He backs up his statement through the study of teleology or the pursuit of telos, which translates to end goal or one’s purpose. He presented a number of options as to what humanity defines as their telos. In the end he found that happiness is the true goal. Therefore, multiple actions can lead to finding happiness, but four main points were highlighted that help the most. The following can lead to one’s telos; luck, good friends, a little bit of wealth, you can’t be ugly. Telo’s can be reached through repetitive actions or habits. We can perfect ourselves by finding a happy medium, however, the journey to find that can be difficult. We have to constantly ask ourselves when we have made it a …show more content…
Such as the main points that lead us to our telos, happiness. I agree with good friends because having people to share things with can be incredible. Friends can double as significant others, allowing one to share their life and happiness with another person. However, I do not agree with the other main points. These include luck, a little bit of wealth, and you can’t be ugly. Luck can be good or bad and happens by chance. Aristotle does not specify whether the luck reached is good luck or bad luck. Bad luck does not lead to happiness. Second, a little bit of wealth. Wealth technically means an abundance and abundance means large or much of. Therefore having a little bit more than what you need would be considered “a little bit of wealth.” I don’t believe that wealth defines a person, does it? I think one can reach their telos with the minimum. Lastly, you can’t be ugly. Beauty is subjective. Also, who said there is a standard look to beauty? In another sense of the word, ugly can be personality wise and therefore I would agree that ugly people cannot reach their