Professor Karen Stohr
Introduction to Ethics
Section 8, ID Number: 826074860
15 October 2014
Aristotle and Ethical Egoism James Rachels defines ethical egoism as the normative theory that each person should exclusively pursue his or her own self-interest. The idea states one’s sole moral duty is to do what is best for oneself. One will only take actions if they are to one’s own advantage; supporters of ethical egoism perceive the truth and benefit of this theory to be self-evident. While Aristotle never addressed this idea specifically, his larger ideas coincide with Rachels’s definition of ethical egoism. Rachels’s perspective of ethical egoism states that each person is “uniquely placed to pursue [individual] wants” (Rachels). Wasting
…show more content…
Aristotle claims that one can achieve virtuous character through habituation and rational thought. Because leading a virtuous life leads to the most complete goal of happiness, virtue is a paramount priority in individuals’ lives. One must be focused completely on oneself and one’s actions to habituate morally virtuous actions. If one decides to live one’s life in either excess or deficiency, one will lead a discordant and uneasy life. While one is not forced to act virtuously or rationally reason, one should in hopes of achieving the ultimate human …show more content…
As the plot progresses and tensions heighten in High Noon, another account of integrity as a social virtue emerges through the actions of Amy Kane. As a result of her brothers and father being deeply affected by weapons and violence, Amy endorses pacifism because she deems this as an integral outlook for not only herself but also those surrounding her. However, Amy finds herself in a predicament that forces her to deeply consider the boundaries of her beliefs. In this situation, Amy releases her pacifistic ideals and resorts to violence. While she may have strayed from endorsing pacifism, Amy’s integrity remains intact. She takes into account the endorsements of her co-deliberators, in this case her husband. While an individual should greatly endorse one’s beliefs, a person with integrity also places value on others’ opinions and community. As a result of this situation and her co-deliberators, her views on the worthiness of violence altered. However, Amy is not acting hypocritically because she is in no way deliberately misleading others as to what is
Then, the authors switch to the past story of Bishop family in Braintree, along with tragic death of Amy 'sibling, Seth. The structure of this essay help readers better understand the psychological development of a young girls Amy Bishop, and the external influence has created an Amy Bishop today. After the death of Seth, Keefer mentioned about the lack of mental therapy, counseling or absent of Psychiatric evaluation, and most important, the over protection of Judy, Amy’s mother, to avoid her child from being in jail. Amy did not receive enough mentally help, and a heavy psychological shadow has created a mental defect later in her life. "Amy continued to eat meals in the kitchen where her brother had die, and to walk past his bedroom with old woodworking project bore the chiseled letters S-E-T-H.” This quote is very important, because imagine if you were Amy, and living in an environment that is always reminiscent of the worst memories! It will ruin anyone's soul. In later investigate, Amy said that she felt stress, hallucinations, and "hear the voice" off and on, but her family did not aware of such changes. This detail is similar with other mass shooting in the United States, the lack of sophistication to recognize the "walking bomb." The purpose of Keefer's essay is to look at the past of a mass shooter, we can understand their motives, and
We have studied the two major theories that answer the question, “who should I be?”. These theories are egoism and altruism. In this paper, I will argue that the correct moral theory lies in-between the theories of egoism and altruism.
Virtue ethics is a moral theory that was first developed by Aristotle. It suggests that humans are able to train their characters to acquire and exhibit particular virtues. As the individual has trained themselves to develop these virtues, in any given situation they are able to know the right thing to do. If everybody in society is able to do the same and develop these virtues, then a perfect community has been reached. In this essay, I shall argue that Aristotelian virtue ethics is an unsuccessful moral theory. Firstly, I shall analyse Aristotelian virtue ethics. I shall then consider various objections to Aristotle’s theory and evaluate his position by examining possible responses to these criticisms. I shall then conclude, showing why Aristotelian virtue ethics is an unpractical and thus an unsuccessful moral theory in reality.
The idea of each person ought to pursue his or her own self -interest exclusively to do in his life time for others is known as Ethical Egoism.
• Once more, the ordinary science’ proves itself as the master of classification, inventing and defining the various categories of Egoism. Per example, psychological egoism, which defines doctrine that an individual is always motivated by self-interest, then rational egoism which unquestionably advocates acting in self-interest. Ethical egoism as diametrically opposite of ethical altruism which obliges a moral agent to assist the other first, even if sacrifices own interest. Also, ethical egoism differs from both rational and psychological egoism in ‘defending’ doctrine which considers all actions with contributive beneficial effects for an acting individual
With the development of modern society, many people say that the society has become miserable, and people only care their own profit. The self-interest is becoming the object of attacking. Thereupon, when we mention self- interest, people always mix up the concept of self-interest with selfishness. As we all known, the idea of selfishness is, “Abusing others, exploiting others, using others for their own advantage – doing something to others.” (Hospers, 59) Selfish people have no ethics, morals and standards when they do anything. At the same time, what is self – interest? Self- interest can be defined as egoism, which means a person is, “looking out for your own welfare.” (Hospers, 39) The welfare people talk about is nothing more than
Amy Tan, in ?Mother Tongue,? Does an excellent job at fully explaining her self through many different ways. It?s not hard to see the compassion and love she has for her mother and for her work. I do feel that her mother could have improved the situation of parents and children switching rolls, but she did the best she could, especially given the circumstances she was under. All in all, Amy just really wanted to be respected by her critics and given the chance to prove who she is. Her time came, and she successfully accomplished her goals. The only person who really means something to her is her mother, and her mother?s reaction to her first finished work will always stay with her, ?so easy to read? (39).
In Book I of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that the ultimate human goal or end is happiness. Aristotle then describes steps required for humans to obtain the ultimate happiness. He also states that activity is an important requirement of happiness. A virtuous person takes pleasure in doing virtuous things. He then goes on to say that living a life of virtue is something pleasurable in itself. The role of virtue to Aristotle is an important one, with out it, it seems humans cannot obtain happiness. Virtue is the connection one has to happiness and how they should obtain it. My goal in this paper is to connect Aristotle’s book of Nicomachean Ethics to my own reasoning of self-ethics. I strongly agree with Aristotle’s goal of happiness and conclude to his idea of virtues, which are virtuous states of character that affect our decision making in life.
Throughout her entire life Amy, the main character in Gone Girl’s movie adaptation, was faced with unobtainable standards that were impossible to reach. This is enough to drive even the strongest of people mad. Due to her parents novel of “Amazing Amy”, she was forced to play the part of the cool girl, and never truly was able to express herself throughout her life. The only part of the novel that truly occurred was that both versions of “Amy” were married. She would go to great lengths to express herself as an individual.
The article starts of on Amy reflecting on how for years the way she approached work was to be a nice thoughtful person to everyone, even when it wasn't necessary. She states how she would always say please and thank you and express concern for other peoples problems, in their work life or in their personal life. She very clearly stated that she was not a boss, but had a mid level position in the company, and implied she never understood why she was stuck there and had not moved up in rank in the company.
Egoism is a teleological theory of ethics that sets the ultimate criterion of morality in some nonmoral value (i.e. happiness or welfare) that results from acts (Pojman 276). It is contrasted with altruism, which is the view that one's actions ought to further the interests or good of other people, ideally to the exclusion of one's own interests (Pojman 272). This essay will explain the relation between psychological egoism and ethical egoism. It will examine how someone who believes in psychological egoism explains the apparent instances of altruism. And it will discuss some arguments in favor of universal ethical egoism, and exam Pojman's critque of arguments for and against universal ethical egoism.
Aristotle’s thoughts on ethics conclude that all humans must have a purpose in life in order to be happy. I believe that some of the basics of his ideas still hold true today. This essay points out some of those ideas.
Rachel believes that “the best way to promote everyone’s interests is for each of us to adopt the policies of pursuing our own interest exclusively” (80). It seems that there is no way to maintain the doctrine of ethical egoism as a normative doctrine for how we ought to act. “For he wants a world in which his own interests are maximized; and if other people adopted the egoistic policy of pursuing their own interests to the exclusion of his interests, as he pursues his interests to the exclusion of theirs, then such a world would be impossible”
Although Amy broke the rules by bringing contraband into the school, and because of Jenny Snow tattling to Mr. Davis about the limes hidden in her desk, Amy doesn’t deserve the type of punishment that she received. While Amy did deserve some type of punishment for breaking the rules Corporal punishment is not a warranted form of discipline. On top of which, Mr. Davis then further humiliates Amy by making her stand in front of the class until dismissal. Nevertheless, the punishment
Ethical egoism can be a well-debated topic about the true intention of an individual when he or she makes an ethical decision. Max Stirner brings up a very intriguing perspective in writing, The Ego and its Own, regarding ethical egoism. After reading his writing some questions are posed. For example, are human beings at the bottom? Following Wiggins and Putnam, can we rise above our egoism and truly be altruistic? And finally, if we are something, do we have the capacity to rise to a level that we can criticize and transcend our nature? These questions try to establish whether or not we are simple humans, bound to our intrinsic nature, or far more intellectually advanced than we allow ourselves to be.