Deontology

MY FAVOURITE ETHICAL THEORY

Ancient philosophy determined the direction of inquiry and search for a couple of centuries ahead : philosophers from all over the world have tried and are still trying to find the place of Human in the world , his destination and way to Happiness . Ethical theories give some answers to these problems , and among the ancient philosophers who raised the question of ethic and moral were Socrates , Plato and Aristotle - all newly-born phlosophers argued or agreed with them

Being a disciple of Plato (who was the follower of Socrates , Aristotle

br nontheless , keeps aloof in the row of great philosophers

On one hand , he created a realistic theory , basing on norms and principles taken from the real life , and on the other hand , an idealistic theory , making Human develop his intellect and soul . In this way he avoided Utopian theory of Plato , which rejected earth life , as well as moral antiutopia of sophists , whose ethical directives led to amoralism and justifying of violence and arbitrariness : the winners are not judged and all the means are good

I like his theory , because he placed Human and Human Mind in the center of the world . Act which looks like virtuous is not so , if it is not accompanied by virtuous mind effort . Each person determines for himself which path to go and whome to become : Aristotle gives an opportunity and freedom of mind by his theory . Happiness can be attained , and it is connected with virtues , according to Aristotle , and virtues can be obtained by everyone . His theory assures the followers that we do not need to give ower lives to the Fate or something (someone ) else , so everyone can come to happiness

In ancient times the term ethic ' meant life wisdom , practical knowledge about life and happiness . Ethic is the science of morality , of raising volitional and mental qualities needed for everyday usage Aristotle attributed it to a practical science , as well as politics other types of sciences were creative (art , for example ) and theoretical (mathematica , physics

The central term of Aristotlean ethic theory , which he stated in his great ethical works Nicomachean Ethics 'Eudemian Ethics ' and Great Ethics ' is Virtues possesed by different parts of the human soul . Aristotle defines ethical virtue as 'a state of character concerned with choice , lying in a mean , i .e . the mean relative to us this being determined by a rational principle , and by that principle by which the man of practical wisdom would determine it

He writes human soul is devided into 2 main parts - reasonable and non-reasonable . The latter is nourishing (which does not have any virtues or vices ) and affectionate , or striving , having its own virtues and vices . The reasonable part of the soul is theoretical reason and common sense aimed at practical acts . Reasonable part has intellectual virtues , for example , wisdom , prudence , and vices (in contrary to those virtues . Affectionate part and common sense are taken by Aristotle in unity : their virtues are those of will , character and ethos...