In his Summa Theologica number seventeen, article two, Aquinas is trying to answer the question of whether there is falsity in the senses and, if there is, how it exists. He concludes that falsity does exist in the senses in the way that the senses can misjudge objects. Aquinas maintains that the senses can perceive the likeness of an object in one of three ways. The first is by the color of the object and other proper qualities which occur in only one sense. The second is by the common qualities of shape and size which can be validated by more than one of the senses. Finally, the third occurs accidently and not of its own nature. He follows that by stating the premises for his argument. Aquinas’s first premise is the sense gains false knowledge…
Cicero, Roman Senator and Philosopher, set up specific qualities of an ideal Roman ruler. A clear role in what it takes to effectively lead. A leader must first lead a dignified life for them to lead a successful empire. Leaders must demonstrate a work ethic and ability to gain respect. With that respect, leaders must love and care for their subordinates to show their compassionate towards the Roman people. Leaders must then demonstrate ethics to provide plans that must be followed in order to bring success to their empire. Politically, Cicero’s ideals reflected on both Marcus Aurelius and Commodus in various distinct ways. Marcus Aurelius and Commodus were men that ruled the empire of Rome and their governance had a profound impact in the Roman history. However while Marcus Aurelius was a grown just, benevolent man who fought for the power of Rome and successfully won the battle, Commodus was young, ignorant, cruel ruler, who demanded respect soon after he took position as emperor, and seriously weakened Roman Empire.…
Aquinas assumed that all people seek to worship God, which many could perceive to be artificial instead of natural. From here he assumed that God created the world and Natural Law within it. These assumptions would not be natural ones for an Atheist to make. This is where the link between Aquinas and Aristotle come in. Aquinas introduced the five primary precepts as a way God intended for people to live whereas Aristotle said it is down to human reasoning. With this it is clear that being a Christian makes Natural Law much more accessible as there is a set guide to follow whereas with Aristotle the path can often become blurred and again, the assumption for everyone to be religious is not a natural one to make.…
The similarities that contradict the statement are evident from the consequence of rejecting creations, the ultimate death of both creators and the nobility of the creations in accepting responsibility for their actions. In contrast, the differences between the texts influenced by time and changing contexts are seen in the distinct definitions of life regarding what makes us human, the ending and clearly, the different forms of both texts.…
Happiness isn’t something that can be completely defined. It’s interpreted in distinct ways, some believe it to be a value, while others see it as an emotional state, but everyone sees it as something they want to achieve in life. Hobbes believes that human happiness is nothing more than, “continual success in obtaining the things you want when you want them” (Hobbes 27). Hobbes argues against many philosophers, saying that our happiness is rooted in materialism. Some people may agree with this, thinking if they had more money or certain things than all or most of their problems would be solved and they could finally be happy. For some this could actually be possible, if Hobbes’ philosophy is entirely correct.…
On the topic of action, granted both men support action instead of non-action, the intentions through which they encourage action however, oppose each other directly. Jesus argues for good action under the order of God and for the personal benefit of unlimited access to heaven. “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes of Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.20). Aristotle, on the other hand, argues for action done well, repeatedly, and with the right intention, “We reach the conclusion that the good of man is an activity of the soul in conformity with excellence or virtue, and if there are several virtues, in conformity with the best and most complete” (Ethics 1098a.15). Their varying opinions on action does not define them alone, but their definitions of virtue as well. As stated above—Jesus views faith as the highest virtue, while Aristotle views contemplation as the most important. characteristic. Because of this extreme contrast between the two, we can definitively prove that Aristotle would not agree with Jesus’ conception of virtue or…
o A personal experience to explain the relationship between virtue, values, and moral concepts as they relate to one of the three theories…
Two of the greatest and earliest thinkers of our time are Plato, and his most famous pupil, Aristotle. Soon after Plato’s teachings, Aristotle criticized his claims and independently became a thinker on his own. These philosophers viewed metaphysics differently, and they approached the idea of reality in two opposing ways. Plato’s Theory of Forms was a concept that was defined in a different way by Aristotle. They both believed in “forms” but approached this idea differently.…
As a theologian, Aquinas believes the supreme good derives from the eternal God, rather than a worldview good. The Natural Law theory is central to his work because it connects Aristotle’s argument and harmonizes it with the Church teachings. Unlike Aristotle, Aquinas believed the city was a mean to reach the ultimate end, which is God’s will. In his broad conception of explaining laws human beings should obey, the most virtuous ones are derived from God, not from man. He articulates the principle of obedience and how each person is obligated to perform their duties to society. This also is a slight critic from Aristotle’s teaching. Aquinas stressed the significance of duties, rather than performing deeds. Even though both words are relative to preserving and protecting the city, the teaching of obligations solidity the expectations of moral…
Both their views on human reason are very similar. John Locke stated that God empowered people with reason to stand up and revolt against an unrighteous authority. He gave individuals this gift to protect their freedom and property. Locke asserts the fact that if another individual tries to claim someone else’s possessions, that all men should stand up and fight the offender. Locke States “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker” (SB, 35). Locke explains that humans are all equal due to the fact that God created them that way. If someone breaks a law, takes another person’s life, or property they shall be punished by the entire community. Galileo Galilei promotes the same behavior as John Locke when he states “No one should be scorned in physical disputes for not holding to the opinions which happen to please other people best…” (SB, 22). Galelei states that just because every individual has different ideas from the majority does not give the right for anyone to be looked down upon. Humans should help one another to create a prosperous society. People need to conform together with reason in order to balance power. This reasoning is what holds the community together. In doing so, people will no longer relinquish total control to just one individual. Allowing everyone to be equal and state their opinion without fear will create a world without…
A relativist would react to “What makes you happy might be one thing, but what makes another person happy could be entirely different, so do not impose your lifestyle on other people” by agreeing with the statement about not inflicting your lifestyle on someone else. Relativists believe you cannot urge morality on others. Even if it is someone who you share a primary relationship with, you can not make any judgement on what decisions they make. Relativists do not judge others, so if something very immoral makes you happy, a relativist can not impose on your choice of being immoral. Relativism says that all culture is good and all culture is bad; it’s the same thing as happiness, it can be good or bad but you can not judge a persons happiness whether it is good or bad. Overall, a relativist would never impose on someone’s lifestyle even if something totally different makes them happy, or even if what makes one happy is completely wrong and immoral.…
To a (mono) theist like Aquinas, the reality of a moral law was not in question. The question was how much of that law we could know from natural reason (or academic philosophy), and how much we could know only from Scripture or the Church. This two level system of reason and revelation, made it possible for Aquinas to fuse the pre-Christian philosophy of Aristotle with the revelation-based doctrines of the Church. … The assertion of rights cannot for long be separated from the imposition of duties, however.…
In Thomas Aquinas’s On Law, Morality, and Politics, Aquinas agrees completely with Aristotle’s notion of natural law. Like Aristotle, he believes that everything has a purpose, which is determined and fulfilled by natural law. However, he makes a very clear contradiction to Aristotle’s beliefs when it comes to the issue of what the purpose of justice is. Aristotle believes that justice is the presence of all virtue, while Thomas believes that Justice is one thing on its own, he believes that it is specifically the virtue of a good citizen.…
Aristotle creates a metaphorical map directing the reader to a destination known to him as magnanimity. Vices such as vanity, boastfulness, and excess anger, are all concepts which Aristotle insinuates that a magnanimous person should not be comprised of (CITATION). Though, he also mentions deficiencies such as pusillanimity, self-deficiency, and patience which a magnanimous person should have (CITATION). An individual who can balance between both these virtues and vices is what Aristotle would deem a magnanimous person (CITATION). Applying this concept to political leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, and Donald Trump, lends a description of who is fit to lead a country effectively in order promote overall human ecstasy. This is…
In conclusion I just want to take a look at the overall moral lessons that each…