Eudaimonia

People may think they are happy in life where they stand now, but what is it that is making that one person happy. Is it their style of living, the money they have, or even just being able to satisfy their needs? In the essay, “There’s More to Life Than Being Happy” the author Emily Esfanani Smith highlights ethos, logos, and pathos to show what makes one happy. The first rhetorical device that was used was ethos. For example one way that the author used this device was by using a story in the…

The pursuit of happiness is a seemingly never-ending journey for some. Individuals may find that their true happiness cannot be discovered, as there are detrimental circumstances in their path. The pursuit of happiness is a feat that every individual must take on in their life. In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Ruth has a hard time finding true happiness. There are obstacles standing between Ruth and her happiness that are very significant; her happiness does not just depend on…

she believes that virtues assist practical reasoning and complying by these virtues will enable us to become better and respond to moral dilemmas. Following the Golden mean is the most reliable path towards flourishing which will lead us towards eudaimonia. In maths terms though the term mean relates to the average, so the could mean could be seen to promote mediocrity. If everyone sticks to the average then there would be no innovation or progression in society. Which to Philippa Foot is…

“What should I do?” is the first question any virtue theorists ask themselves in any predicament. However, before a virtue theorist can answer that question, a virtue theorist must know what kind of person they should be. Once a virtue theorist knows who they are as a person (their character) they can answer, “ What should I do?” in any predicament. For example: There is a machine that would allow a person to experience anything he or she desired. Rather it is them experiencing their first…

first part of his definition of eudaimonia requires a function of man that remains unique to man. After considering some alternatives, he discovers, “There remains, then, the life of action of a being who has reason.” (1098a,2-3). This claim has two parts that are important to reference to his definition of eudaimonia. Reasoning is what is unique to man because there are other active lives, but do not have the ability to reason in ex. animals. The highest good, eudaimonia requires reasoning…

the idea that an individual should not obsess about the outcomes of their actions but should instead try to understand what it is to be a good person (Hales, 2012). The theory places value on three significant views, virtue, practical wisdom and eudaimonia (Hursthouse, 2013). These concepts claim that the purpose of one’s life is to achieve fulfilment while acting and thinking virtuously (Cunningham, 2015). “It has been suggested that…

Greek philosopher, Aristotle, and German philosopher, Imanuel Kant, have both composed compelling arguments on what distinguishes a person who possesses good moral values from one who lacks them. Aristotle bases his ideologies on the concepts of eudaimonia and virtue. Aristotle does not place emphasis on a formulated method for determining right from wrong. Kant, on the other hand, devised a method for distinguishing good morals from bad morals. His Formula of Universal Law is an excellent way…

ethics comes down to two basic things: Eudaimonia and arête. Eudaimonia, or "well-being," is the virtue that Plato teaches we must all aim toward. The ideal person is the person who possesses Eudaimonia, and the field of ethics is mostly just a description of what such an ideal person would truly be like. However, achieving Eudaimonia requires something extra, which Plato calls arête, or excellence. Possessing arête is the way that one can reach a state of Eudaimonia. A person with arête is a…

What is Piety? Introduction Throughout Plato’s chapter Euthyphro, the main focus is around the definition of piety. This chapter consists of a dialog between Socrates and Euthyphro in which they are concerned with what piety is. They both go back and forth discussing the question while Socrates tries to get a full and worthy answer from Euthyphro. The definition of piety is of special interest to Socrates, as he had just been charged with impiety. He was charged for corrupting the youth of the…

either provide significantly more value to engineers specifically or are often neglected by engineers despite their inherent worth. The premise of Aristotle’s ethical system relies upon several complicated ideas expressed using Greek words: telos, eudaimonia, and arête, among others. The first issue plaguing Aristotle…