Aristotles Approach To Ethics/Platos Divided Line Essays

Aristotle's Approach To Ethics/Plato's Divided Line Erin E Philosophy 103 October 9, 1996 Philosophy Take-Home Test I. PLATO 3) Explain the so-called Divided Line. What do the different levels mean? How does this apply to ethics? How does this apply to Knowledge, perception, and/or awareness? Explain in depth and detail. Platos Divided Line is a model indicating not only levels of knowledge, but basically levels of everything. It is divided into four levels and two sides. The left side consists of ways we know, become aware of, and perceive things, while the right side consists of the objects of knowledge, awareness, and perception. The bottom half includes those things in the physical realm and the top half includes those things in the spiritual and intellectual realm. The highest point in the physical realm is the sun, and the highest point in the spiritual realm is the form of the good and beautiful, both of which are essentially impossible to reach. The different levels mean different things. On the lowest level, the left side is made up of our imagination, perception, and conjecture. The right side is made up of shadows and mirages. The next level up, on the left, is where we believe something because we see it. The right side of this level is where we find all physical things. At the top of the physical realm before entering the spiritual realm, is the sun. The next level up is the lowest level in the spiritual realm. The left side of this level includes thinking from hypotheses, while the right side includes objects of math and science. The top level in Platos model contains true knowledge and dialectical thinking on the left. The rite contains all forms and ideas. The topmost point, the forms of the good and beautiful, is the ultimate goal of human happiness, or eudaimonia. These non-physical forms are the ultimate reality, the ideal perfect model of all that exists. These different levels apply to knowledge, perception, awareness, and ethics in the same way. For each of these things, the higher one goes in the model, the higher one goes in any of these particular areas. For example, regarding different levels of knowledge, the lowest level is on the bottom and the highest level is on top. Therefore, the closer one gets to the top of the model, the more knowledge one has Eskildsen, p.2 and vice-versa. The same holds true for the other areas, as well, and they are all related to each other. Using knowledge in another example, the higher level of knowledge one reaches, the higher ones ethical standards are, as well. Because of these relationships, Platos Divided Line relates to all areas of life. II. ARISTOTLE 1) Explain fully Aristotles approach to Ethics. What is the goal of the ethical life? What type of soul is capable of realizing the good life? How do we go about accomplishing this goal? What are the possible lifestyle choices we may lead? Are any of these conducive to leading the good life? The goal of the ethical life, according to Aristotle, is good. All human activity is directed toward this good, the highest of which is Eudaimonia. There are two kinds of good, intrinsic and instrumental. Intrinsic goods are those which are good in and of themselves. The only thing that is completely intrinsic is happiness, or Eudaimonia. Instrumental goods are those which are good only because they are used for some other thing or purpose. Money is the most obvious instrumental good, as it is used to obtain other goods. Any individual with a virtuous soul is capable of realizing the good life. One must live with moral and intellectual virtues, excellences, and high standards to accomplish this goal. There are three lifestyles one may lead: the vulgar, the political, or the contemplative. The vulgar lifestyle is based on instant gratification. Goods are simply pleasures one enjoys immediately and temporarily. This lifestyle is guaranteed to fail in the quest for Eudaimonia. The political lifestyle in one in which happiness is determined by honor achieved. There are two types of honors one can obtain in the political life, the real and the bogus. Bogus honors are simply to gain status in society and could be bought, but real honors are awards for doing good and helping others. While politics itself is the study of the good, one could easily disgrace oneself and become ostracized from the community. The contemplative

Kierkegaards Knight of Faith †Theology Essay

Kierkegaards Knight of Faith – Theology Essay Free Online Research Papers Kierkegaard’s Knight of Faith Theology Essay It is difficult to ascertain whether Kierkegaard wanted his readers to see his knights of infinite resignation and faith as images of actual armor-clad medieval warriors bound by an oath, but I do not hesitate to believe that to some extent, this visualization is necessary to fully comprehend his intended meaning. Although the knight of infinite resignation works by reason and the knight of faith relies on acceptance of the absurd for his peace of mind, either role requires quite a strong character and dedication to a sturdy oath. However, each knight has quite a different place in the realm of ethics. The knight of infinite resignation stays within ethics and becomes a tragic hero, the pity of all surrounding him; the knight of faith steps outside classical ethics and becomes an individual example of an ethical suspension for a greater purpose- a purpose which is generally irrational and absurd- actually inviting those surrounding to pity themselves. Kierkegaard uses a wonderfully congruent example of an ethical dilemma that could be presented to a classical, medieval armored knight. In this knight’s world, there is a beautiful princess. He loves her, but she is so far removed from him, that he can never reach her to marry her. Assuming the actual impossibility of the marriage of the two, the knight has two choices. He can submit to resignation and rationally realize he will never have her. In this case, he will not be buoyed up by irrational false hopes, but we still weep for his unfortunate situation. Or else, he can become a knight of faith- he can have blind trust that he will obtain the princess, based on nothing else but his own faith. This is much more difficult to achieve than the knight of infinite resignation- it goes completely against the faculties of reason. Yet he continues to trust that he will marry her and loves her based on the absurd incomprehensible belief that he will obtain her in the end. Abraham is not confronted with loving a woman, but his dilemma is equally great- if not extremely more trying than that of the knight and the princess. He could easily become a knight of infinite resignation in his situation- he could accept the sorrow and impending loss of his son as a pitiable fact of life. But no- Abraham is a knight of faith. He traverses to the mountain in Moriah, having faith that his son Isaac will be saved or that it will all turn out well. Of course, this is based on nothing rational- it is completely a mindset of his hope and faith. For all he knows, he is going to the mountain to become what classical ethics brands a murderer. The knight of faith, as exemplified in the example of Abraham, is an example of the â€Å"teleological suspension of the ethical;† normal ethical code would dictate that he is an attempted murderer, but he has actually transcended our understanding of ethics for a greater purpose. Call him what you will, it does not matter- his loyalty to God brings him above any human judgment. He is no hero. Through his distress and agony and his absurd situation, he is greater than that- a greatness that brings him above our praises and our tears. We do not need to sorrow for him or try to feel his pain, for we can do no such thing. We cannot even understand him, only â€Å"weep for [ourselves]† (94). In other words, what happened to him is not necessarily something eternally unbeneficial- Abraham is a much greater person because of his trial, as we would all be. I weep because I cannot see myself climbing the mountain; I weep because I am afraid that I could not show faith that pure . In the Book of Mormon, Nephi is faced with the dilemma of killing Laban. Like Abraham, murder is something that Nephi has never done, or most likely never even contemplated. Yet, here he is, standing with a drawn sword in front of the drunken, passed-out man who is the central threat to his life. One would tend to think that here we have another teleological suspension of the ethical, and that Nephi is a perfect example of a knight of faith. However, he is not- this is not Kierkegaard’s definition. A knight of faith thinks and acts on his acceptance of the absurd- a perfect absence of reason. This is why Abraham holds this elevated title. There was no rational argument for the killing of Isaac; in fact, the act was in direct contrast to reason as Abraham saw it. After all, hadn’t God promised Abraham’s posterity as numerous as the stars of the sky? Hadn’t He given him Isaac as a fulfillment of that prophecy? There was no visible reason to the command- to u s, it was completely absurd. However, there is plenty of reason involved in Nephi’s decision. He was commanded by God, just as Abraham, but the Lord gives him plenty of reasons why it is better that â€Å"one man should perish than that a whole nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief† (1 Nephi 4:13), that phrase itself being very plausible rationale. In the history of the world, there have been countless examples of just and righteous men killing other men. This is justified even within our own limited ethical value system through war, self-defense, etc. Although Nephi’s situation may not be a classical example of battle or immediate self-preservation, it is certainly a rational decision, simply based on the promptings of God. Abraham, however, has absolutely no reason to kill Isaac than to obey God. Isaac does not want to keep the brass plates, he does not want to kill Abraham, he is completely innocent and does not deserve to die. The fact that Abraham obeys the command of God based on no ethical reason brands him as a true knight of faith. Nephi is somewhat of a tragic hero- we may feel for him and we may even be able to put ourselves in his situation and make the same decision, but we cannot understand the pure absence of reason involved in Abraham’s situation unless we were faced with that decision ourselves. K ierkegaard certainly shares my admiration for this great patriarch, and although we need not weep for his predicament, we certainly can look upon him with wonder and awe. 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Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essays -- Death of a Salesman Arth

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman was written after the second World War while the American economy was booming. Society was becoming very materialistic, and the idea that anyone could â€Å"make it† in America was popular. These societal beliefs play a large part in Death of a Salesman, a play in which the main character, Willy Loman, spends a lifetime chasing after the American Dream. Willy was sold on the wrong dream. He was enamored with a myth of American ideals and chose to put aside his real talents in pursuit of a fantasy. In several instances of the play, we see that Willy is a skilled carpenter. He wants to redo the front step just to show off to his brother, and he is constantly fixing things around the house. However, he doesn’t see carpentry as an acceptable occupation. It entails hard work and there isn’t any glory in it. Instead, he chooses to follow the dream of being a successful salesman. The problem is that Willy doesn’t seem to have any of the skills needed to be a salesman. He deludes himself into thinking that he is â€Å"vital in New England† but we find out during his meeting with Howard that even during his good years he wasn’t doing as well as he thought he was. He has convinced himself that he averages one hundred and seventy dollars a week in commission, but Howard tells him otherwise. This is a sh ock to Willy; he’s not used to having reality forced upon him. Willy sees being a salesman as a worthy profession; he apparently puts a lot of effort into his sales pitches. His ideal fate is the same as Dave Singleman’s; to be so â€Å"well-liked† that he can make sales over the phone and to have hundred of people attend his funeral. Willy is blind to the he tries to tell Happy that Willy didn’t know himself. Unfortunately, Happy is still living in a world of illusions, and he becomes angry with Biff and says â€Å"He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have – to come out number one man. He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him.† Ironically, Willy killed himself so that Biff could carry out his dreams of success, but Happy is the one who actually believed in Willy’s dream and vows to â€Å"win it for him†. As Linda looks over Willy’s grave, she tells us that the house has finally been paid off; that they are finally out of debt. If only Willy had been willing to take a job from Charley, they could have been living an easy life. But, Willy’s illusions of being a good salesman and his pride in false beliefs would not allow him to. Willy has died chasing the illusion of the American Dream.

Financial Managment worksheet 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Managment worksheet 1 - Essay Example If a company can also cut down on the accounts receivable period and convert the accounts receivable into cash in a much faster time, the less cash it needs to maintain as it can meet its current obligations with the cash that comes from the collections. However, revising the credit policy will entail a cost, that is, the possible reduction in sales as customers are given shorter time to pay for their purchases. There has to be a balance then, as to what will be the new policy and the effect of it on sales. The cash conversion cycle is the sum of the inventory period, the accounts receivable period less the accounts payable period. Therefore, in order to improve working capital management, the company can do something with the inventory period, the accounts receivable period or sometimes with the accounts payable period. If a company cuts the production time and convert them into sales, the less cash the business needs in order to meet its obligations. Cash from operations is generated by selling inventories, then receiving cash, or receiving a promise to receive cash in the form of receivables. The cash generated from operation depends on how fast the firm converts inventory into cash, therefore using cash to pay for additional purchases in inventory, and help meet short-term obligations. By increasing the inventory turnover, the firm can have inventories converted into cash. However, there is also a cost to resorting to this option. This means that, in order for the firm’s inventory to be sold faster, it has to increase its efforts on marketing and promotion of its products, thus incurring additional expenses. By ensuring that sales come in faster, and inventories turned into cash are reinvested for additional purchases of inventory, the effort is on generating sales mostly with cash payment. In order to match short-term needs with short-term sources of financing, another option can be to borrow for short-term.

BUS Unit 5 DB SA four Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

BUS Unit 5 DB SA four - Essay Example This may also indicate that the government expenditure is higher than what it can produce. However, it can also be observed that the current account deficit is not very bad to the economy especially if the deficit has been a result of investment initiatives that are designed to generate revenue in the short to long run period. For instance, in the paragraph above, the U. S deficit is viewed as a big problem given that previously stood at 1. 1 trillion dollars but has been halved to 680 billion dollars. This shows a 51 percent decrease in the current account deficit and it can be attributed to different policy changes such budget cuts, tax increments on those with a larger income bracket as well as stimulating economic growth. In this case, it can be seen that the current account deficit for USA is still controllable from within the country so it is not that bad. The deficit only becomes bad when the economy is now sustained on external

The Humanization of Achilles Essay -- essays research papers

Homer illustrates that it is a difficult task to travel down the road of compassion and to overcome rage, but in The Iliad, Achilles achieved it. The ?swift runner? expresses his fury throughout the epic poem. The initial insensitivity and stubborn temper of Achilles in the first books lead to the eventual humanization of Achilles. Achilles was given a gift, the gift of being the best warrior there was, and being the son of a goddess didn?t hurt his confidence either. Achilles had more than confidence he was cocky and thought that the world revolved around him. In his mind nobody, including the Achaean army could survive without him. When an argument occurs between him and Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and leader of the Achaean army, Achilles leaves the army and goes crying to his mother, ...

Jungle Love Essay

The novel, â€Å"Jungle love novel†, was written by Margaret Johnson. This story is about two girls, Jennifer and Lisa, who took a trip to Belize and they both were in love with the same attractive man, Ian. Jennifer enjoyed nature and reading while Lisa liked talking too long. In Jennifer’s situation, she had another man, Pete. They planned to get married and then to move to the countryside to enjoy their life. However, she was very confused about their relationship. She loved Pete, but she wasn’t in love with Pete as much as with Ian. About Lisa, she wasn’t contented with what she had. She lived in the boring countryside with her mother but she always dreamed about living in a luxury flat in London. She knew what she wanted – a soul mate and moving to London. The ridiculous thing is they both were loved by Ian. He couldn’t choose whom he liked most because they were both attractive. These two girls began a war. When Jennifer and Lisa finally discovered that Ian was a big liar, they became reconciled and became good friends. The story ended up with Lisa receiving a phone call from her brother that her mother married an old man. Thus Lisa was able to start her new life in London. At the same time Jennifer broke the engagement with Pete. What a dramatic ending! I think Jennifer didn’t know exactly what she wanted and then made the situation worse and more complicated. Nevertheless, Lisa was confident and sure of what she wanted in life that she tried hard to realize it. The main idea is appearances can be deceptive. In my opinion, they shouldn’t trust man who said sweet words. They both were abused by Ian. Don’t judge only by appearances.