Metaphysics Aristotle considered the most fundamental features of reality in the twelve books of the Μεταφυσικη(Metaphysics). Although experience of what happens is a key to all demonstrative knowledge‚ Aristotle supposed that the abstract study of "being qua being" must delve more deeply‚ in order to understand why things happen the way they do. A quick review of past attempts at achieving this goal reveals that earlier philosophers had created more difficult questions than they had answered: the Milesians over-emphasized
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and contrast the moral and political duties and characteristics of a citizen according to Plato and Aristotle. The essay will be splitted into three parts. The first part will focus on Plato’s description of citizen’s duties‚ followed by Aristotle’s view on it. The comparison and highlighting of the differences and similarities between philosophers will be given at the next part. Finally‚ it will be concluded that Aristotle and Plato have a range of notable differences as well as similarities in their
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Plato vs. Aristotle Plato and Aristotle‚ two philosophers in the 4th century‚ hold polar views on politics and philosophy in general. This fact is very cleverly illustrated by Raphael’s "School of Athens" (1510-11; Stanza della Segnatura‚ Vatican)‚ where Plato is portrayed looking up to the higher forms; and Aristotle is pointing down because he supports the natural sciences. In a discussion of politics‚ the stand point of each philosopher becomes an essential factor. It is not coincidental
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Natural right is distinguished from that of legal right. Natural rights are those rights of any species that exist outside of artificial legal contrivances. Fish that swim in the ocean do so by natural right and not out of some legislation that allows it. Here then are John Lockes own words on the subject: "The main intention of nature‚ which willeth the increase of mankind‚ and the continuation of the species in the highest perfection" "The people can not delegate to government the power to
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virtuous act‚ but it would be hard to tell what the motive was behind the action. Near the end of Nicomachean Ethics‚ Aristotle talks about the range of peoples characteristics. Aristotle states that the: “…of the moral states to be avoided there are three kinds-vice‚ incontinence‚ brutishness.” (Aristotle. Page 157.) Aristotle states that there are the opposites of these which are virtue‚ continence‚ and the super-virtue. Vice would mean the person knows what they are doing is wrong but does it regardless
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Aristotle Anti-Death Penalty The death penalty is one of the controversial topics that plague American society today. The moral and ethical battles are ones that have been in existence as long as capital punishment has. Different methods of the death penalty have gone through many phases of development throughout the ages. Since its establishment there has been death by hanging‚ death by decapitation‚ death by electric chair‚ and the most commonly used method‚ death by lethal injection. This
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The Ethos of Happiness? Ethical theory revolves around the notion of the most final good. This concept originates with Aristotle who argues that if our pursuit of ‘good’ is to make sense‚ there must be a most final good. A good is most final if it is chosen for its own sake and not for the sake of anything beyond itself. Two other constraints that Aristotle puts on the highest good is that it is to be self-sufficient and most desirable. The Hellenistic philosophers add another constraint
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Perspectives of Happiness Artrie R. Allen Kaplan University HU300-21 Arts & Humanities: 20th Century December 31‚ 2012 Happiness is a word that can have many meanings for different people. Happiness as defined in the dictionary means “the quality or state of being happy”; “good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy” (Dictionary‚ 2013). Happiness is a learned emotion based on feelings or
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oppress those who have been identified as a threat. Through these acts‚ racism has had a tremendous impact in the way that society has been able to interact with one another and our progression through this issue as a society. Categories of Racism According to Githu Muigai‚ the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism‚ racial discrimination‚ xenophobia and related intolerance “Racism and xenophobia are not yesterday’s problems; they remain an immense challenge for today” (UN
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second book of The Politics‚ Aristotle digresses from Plato’s recommendations and provides a counter framework for what he believes is an ideal state. The best ideal state according to Aristotle is one that is not ruled by philosopher kings. This main feature of rulership is what distances Aristotle from Plato. Is it natural for there to be a group of philosophers ruling? Is it natural that these philosophers must be removed from private life? These are the questions Aristotle deals with in the second
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