3 Paragraph Answers
Book One
The three types of good life that Aristotle talks about include the happy life, a virtuous life, and the action-based life. Aristotle does not believe that money-making or material wealth can lead to a good life. According to the philosopher, human good should always feature three essential characteristics. As such, it has to be something that is distinctively human. Furthermore, it has to be self-sufficient. The philosopher suggests that human good is the ultimate characteristic. Money does not form part of any of the three characteristics. The science that studies the highest good is known as political science. This name is based on the notion that the field is concerned with the community’s welfare.
Book One
Aristotle suggests that the final goal is happiness, and it has several characteristics. Primarily, it is the totality of a person’s life. Furthermore, it is a characteristic that can be lost or gained in a few hours unlike other things such as pleasurable sensations. Moreover, happiness is the achievement of a perfect state of activity in regards to the human nature that entails seeking fulfilment and perfection.
The two virtues include intellectual and moral virtues. Intellectual virtues are learned through instructions while the moral virtues are learned through constant practice. Humans shape their characters through their day-to-day actions and interactions. As a result, Aristotle suggests that people become virtuous not only by choice but also by performing virtuous actions. While this is the case, humans can also choose to undertake good deeds, which are widely based on their states. Subsequently, even where the character is up to the humans, it is through their ability to select the right actions that they develop appropriate characters.
Book Three
A voluntary action is entirely different from an involuntary action. Involuntary acts are those that are executed under compulsion or duress. They can also be performed out of ignorance. When an action or act originates from an external force and the agent is not entirely happy with its execution, then, it is compulsory. According to Aristotle, something that is done in ignorance might be acknowledged as involuntary. However, this is only applicable in situations where the doer recognizes the ignorance at a later stage. However, an action is non-voluntary if the doer fails to gain some insight from the ignorance or when they do not suffer from it.
Book Five
Aristotle informs the audience that not everything that respects and upholds the law is just. He suggests that some laws do not accommodate and cater for the common good of all people. Instead, they target the common good of individuals that are in power. It is possible for an individual to be a good man and a good citizen, at the same time. A good man may do what is right (such as robbing the rich and then distributing the values to the rich). However, the act of robbing is not one that resembles and demonstrates good citizenship.
MacIntyre
MacIntyre
Indeed, MacIntyre attacks the use of irony on moral grounds, indicating that it is an inadequate approach to day-to-day communication. According to the philosopher, irony represents an impediment to moral commitment and fulfilment. According to him, irony is a form of critical disengagement that is unfriendly to people’s relationships and commitments. These commitments ensure unity in human societies.
