Meno begins his quest to have Socrates explain virtue by nature by stating that having beautiful things is to have virtue. “So I say that virtue is to desire beautiful things and have the power to acquire them” (77b). To help him to understand that this statement is not complete‚ Socrates inquires about specific characteristics that might comprise having something beautiful. These characteristics include wealth‚ a position of honor‚ justice‚ and the pursuit of happiness. Only in perfect combination
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Aristotle on Causality 1. Introduction Aristotle was not the first person to engage in a causal investigation of the world around us. From the very beginning‚ and independently of Aristotle‚ the investigation of the natural world consisted in the search for the relevant causes of a variety of natural phenomena. From the Phaedo‚ for example‚ we learn that the so-called “inquiry into nature” consisted in a search for “the causes of each thing; why each thing comes into existence‚ why it goes
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Book II of the work‚ Aristotle distinguishes between moral virtues‚ which are learned through habit and practice‚ and intellectual virtues‚ which are learned through instruction. However‚ it is not until later in Book II that Aristotle actually defines virtue. He opens Chapter 5 with‚ "Next we must consider what virtue is" (35) and at its end asserts that virtue is a state of character. Therefore‚ the conclusion of the whole argument is: Virtue is a state of character. Aristotle first makes the following
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existence before the Creator’s universe was. According to Plato‚ this sphere was moving disorderly‚ a clear indication it was not the organized and rational model. Timaeus later goes on to explain the creation of the universe as a sphere‚ with no limbs or organs‚ and created from the four elements so it is unlikely that the “original” sphere became the universe. This disordered visible sphere was not mentioned except for near the beginning of the
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Plato and Wittgenstein have very different ideas concerning the nature and function of mathematical propositions. Outline one or more of these differences. Whose account do you consider to be more accurate‚ and why? Plato and Wittgenstein possess contrasting views of what mathematics is‚ and how it can be utilized as a model within philosophy; nevertheless‚ they both agree that it represents more perfect model of philosophy. Whereas Plato was‚ perhaps‚ the first rationalist‚ Wittgenstein ’s forceful
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Of the many disparities between Plato and Machiavelli‚ the distinction of virtue versus virtu sticks out like a sore thumb. Virtue was the political bases for Plato: All men should behave virtuously at all times. Whereas Machiavelli believed virtu was the basis for political prowess. What was best for the state as a whole was the main concern‚ and the ends always justified the means. Plato’s object was the creation of a utopian society--a civilization that abhorred war and centered itself upon
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Aristotle‚ differing from Plato‚ believed that by observation we could explain the world and all matter. Aristotle refuted Plato’s idea of having an absolute explanation. Aristotle’s approach‚ empiricism‚ is the foundation of science. Empiricism is the use of the five senses to observe objects and gain knowledge. Aristotle observed that the world was constantly changing‚ a movement from potentiality to actuality. One of Aristotle’s examples‚ whiteness‚ shows that something that is ‘not white’ has
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strive to be virtuous. Thus‚ the notion of virtue becomes fundamental. What is a virtue? A fixed positive character trait that involves various dispositions. For Aristotle morality is about living in accordance with virtue. Every activity has some goal or end and his project here is to figure out what the Good consists in According to Aristotle something is good to the extent that it fulfills its function. What is our function? it must be what distinguishes us from plants and animals‚ which is rationality
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Aristotle used the Four Causes to explain an object’s transferral from potentiality to actuality. The material cause‚ formal cause‚ efficient cause and final cause take something from an idea to reality. They are accurate to a degree but have several flaws and faults. A problem with the four causes is that they rely on experience. Plato argued that experience was unreliable as it changes from person to person – we cannot be sure that chairs look the same to every person. Also‚ Aristotle has no concrete
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Paper #1 What does it mean to be moral? This is the question that Plato has tried to answer in the passages from his famous work the Republic. He has attempted to explain how humans can define and live morally‚ a task that is truly complicated and uncertain. It is important to identify morality because it plays a crucial role in formulating ethical theories. As Socrates states‚ "we are discussing no small matter‚ but how we ought to live." In his writings he has describes two contrasting
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