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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Comprehending the Mind’s Aging Eye "The Allegory of the Cave‚" by Plato‚ explains that people experience emotional and intellectual revelations throughout different stages in their lives. This excerpt‚ from his dialogue The Republic‚ is a conversation between a philosopher and his pupil. The argument made by this philosopher has been interpreted thousands of times across the world. My own interpretation of this allegory is simple enough as Plato expresses his thoughts as separate stages. The stages‚ very
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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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TKL301/ TAKE-HOME EXAMINATION ARISTOTLE’S DEFENSE OF POETRY AGAINST PLATO IN THE LIGHT OF LITERARY CRITICISM As literary critics‚ Plato and Aristotle have different opinions on poetry and also it’s social effects. Plato’s Republic is a work which is not directly about literature; but his comments on poetry determine his position to it. He presents us a view of literature in a mainly negative way. Unlike Plato‚ Aristotle regards poetry as something positive in his Poetics. Thus‚ they approach
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ARISTOTLE ’S EUDAIMONIA Eudaimonia stands for happiness in Greek. Aristotle argues that the highest good for human beings is happiness. He insists that every action performed by humans is to pursue happiness. Aristotle also argues that human action is always aimed at some end or good. This "good" may not be viewed as a good action or any good by others‚ but for the doer of the action ("good")‚ the activity will be perceived as good and that it will bring a favorable outcome. Aristotle also said
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Perhaps the greatest strand of continuity between Aristotle and Galen (and between the ancient Greco-Roman tradition and the early Christian tradition) is their one-sex model/discourse surrounding gender; both of these thinkers believe that the female is an inverted and imperfect version of the male. In other words‚ the female is a deficient male and/or a male gone wrong. This is largely evident in Galen’s writing as he states “all the parts that men have have women have too..in women the parts are
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Throughout his life‚ Aristotle paid particularly close attention to the notion of happiness. In Aristotle’s opinion‚ happiness is achieved by obtaining the highest good by living a good life. However‚ living a good life in accordance with Aristotle’s views can be difficult. He believes that in order to live a good life‚ one must constantly seek to fulfill the bodily needs. To do so‚ one must live with moral and intellectual virtues at all times. Aristotle believed that living with moral and intellectual
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belief that the higher powers are bestowed the wisdom to make the decisions. Unfortunately‚ by voter process decisions that are made by a knowledgeable working class are stifled by opposing groups. Plato viewed the character of government and the rule of law in many distinctive and necessary ways. Plato saw democracy as a form of governance as not only the same as the rule of law‚ but also the most efficient in implementing the law itself. Additionally‚ the law is subject to all persons‚ whether part
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Richard L. W. Clarke LITS2306 Notes 05A 1 MATTHEW ARNOLD “THE FUNCTION OF CRITICISM AT THE PRESENT TIME” (1864) Arnold‚ Matthew. “The Function of Criticism at the Present Time.” Critical Theory Since Plato. Ed. Hazard Adams. New York: Harcourt‚ Brace‚ Jovanovich‚ 1971. 592-603. Pragmatic theorists from Plato onwards have emphasised the impact which literature has on the reader. Here‚ Arnold‚ arguably England’s most important cultural critic in the second half of the nineteenth century and someone
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In Crito by Plato‚ Crito attempts to persuade Socrates to escape from jail so as to avoid his death sentence. This essay will set out to elaborate on the things Plato would say to both Crito and Socrates‚ if he were to be in jail with them. In addition‚ this essay will elaborate further on the reasons Plato would not agree that Socrates’ decision‚ to stay in jail and accept his death sentence‚ would eventually result in happiness. Thus‚ I will establish the stand that Plato would take sides with
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