ETHICAL THEORIES

Ethical Theories Of Aristotle and Immanuel Kant

Ethical Theories Of Aristotle and Immanuel Kant

Introduction

The main purpose of this paper is to identify the comparison between the ethical theories of aristotle and immanuel kant. The paper also discusses the strenghth and weaknesses of these theories and the opinion about the correct theory.

Discussion

There are different opinion made by Aristotle and Kant in their ethical theories. Kant's theoretical reflections on ethics consist of three elements: the moral good, the assumption of free will and the general maxim of the categorical imperative. As per Kant theory, morality is the moment of reason, which is directed to practical action. It is a regulative idea, which is a priori present in humans. Kant argues that man is able to think and reason independently of sensual, even instinctual influences and decide. Man is not heteronomous (other-directed), but autonomous (self-determination). This means that the ethical decision is in the subject. The autonomous will (of reason) command so the morally good act will be resulted. Reason puts the people on duty to follow the dictates of morality. Kant is well aware that the claim of morality is an ideal, and that no man can meet at any time (Aristotle, 1980, p. 76). Nevertheless, he believes that every person in the standard of morality is about and knows what he should do according to the law of morality. The categorical imperative, Kant describes the general principle according to which each person can judge his actions morally. In practical application, a maxim found in themselves can be consistent and match the actual will. As per the precise formulation of his ethics, Kant has presented the metaphysics of morals which is divided into two main sections on the legal theory and the theory of virtue.

On the other hand, for Aristotle it was not possible to ignore the sophists or overcome the theories of Socrates and Plato. At first he opposed these presented theories. Aristotle tried the one to prove the fallacy of the sophists and win the privilege of teaching the young and the other to eliminate the influences of teachers. So he created a system of values with strong signs of this effort. Aristotle in his theories of ethics has presented the concepts such as bliss and a Index self-evident which is the great reflection of Aristotelian thinking. But Aristotle in his attempt to define them leave the idealistic vision of Plato (Thompson, 1994, p. 43)The happiness is the highest good and the Inde x A which is the unique way of conquest. There is certainly no groundbreaking for placement; originality of Aristotelian thought is to attempt a realistic approach of these concepts . So the man looks as a single psychosomatic unity and trying to find happiness in the same nature. Aristotle argues that happiness is found in the work of every person and that is in perfect aretin energy of the soul. He argued that bliss, virtue and energy are related and ...