Aristotle
Essay by review • October 31, 2010 • Essay • 481 Words (2 Pages) • 1,374 Views
In my opinion the consequences of our actions should play as a reminder in our effort to assess what is ethical behavior and what is not. It can be said as a reminder because, individuals may learn from their actions. The consequences of their actions are either ethical or not. Therefore, every time the individuals look back to their actions, they will remember whether the actions have left them a good result or not. Thus, they will create a habit that may help them to make choices on whether their actions are ethical or not.
According to Aristotle's theorizing of agency, there is a link between ethics and the idea of responsibility to actions performed voluntarily. Based on this explanation, individuals can actually choose their actions assessing which behavior is ethical and which one is not.
Individuals live according to moral virtue, which means that they are involved in choosing actions properly. However, there is a moral question that keeps coming up, which is how the individuals choose the right course of action in any given situation.
Human beings are both rational and passionate creatures. With their intelligence and emotion or desire, human beings make their decision. They realize that they have a natural function to choose what they think is right and wrong to obtain the "supreme Good." More over if a human being follows his or her rational principle, he or she will reach the idea of a good life. The definition of a good life may be different for everyone. However, based on the Aristotle's ethical theory, it is said that a good life is reached when individuals have fulfilled their proper natural function.
There are two modes of thoughts whereby the practical mind apprehends variable, contingent truths. They are: art or technical skill and prudence or practical wisdom. The art of technical skill is the state where an individual make something with the involvement of true course of reasoning. With this skill, individuals can choose and make their decision with reasoning. Therefore, the effort of assessing what is ethical and what is not is made with this skill. Prudence or practical wisdom is where the individuals choose practical actions that are conducive to the sorts of goods. This is also where the individuals decide to take actions that are either good or bad for them. Therefore, with prudence or practical wisdom, the individuals may know the consequences
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