John Stuart Mill And Aristotle - 2772 Words

John Stuart Mill and Aristotle both address the idea of happiness as the goal of human life. They explain that all human action is at the foundation of their moral theories. Mill addresses the Greatest Happiness Principle, which is the greatest amount of pleasure to the least amount of pain. Similarly, Aristotle addresses happiness through the idea of eudaimonia and human flourishing. According to Aristotle, eudaimonia is happiness, it is the state of contemplation that individuals are in when they have reached actualized happiness. Also referred to as happiness or human flourishing, it is the ultimate goal of human beings. Happiness is â€Å"living well and acting well.† He explains that once general happiness becomes recognized as the moral standard, natural sentiment will nurture feelings that promote utilitarianism. According to Aristotle, happiness is a state of being. Both Mill and Aristotle agree that in order to attain true happiness, human beings must eng age in activities that are distinct to humans and that make them happy. Aristotle’s idea of eudaimonia and human flourishing is a more compelling argument than Mill’s for happiness and the final end because Aristotle explains that the virtues bring human beings to happiness. Aristotle believes that happiness is an activity â€Å"in accord with virtue.† Happiness is in accord with the most excellent virtue. All men agreed that happiness is to â€Å"live well†, but Aristotle expands this further into a wholeShow MoreRelatedComparing Aristotle And John Stuart Mill1130 Words   |  5 Pagesconcentrate of the famous works of Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill. After meticulously analyzing each of the above philosophers’ texts, I personally prefer the position of utilitarian and Benthamite, John Stuart Mill. After comparing and contrasting the positions and reasonings of these philosophers, I will demonstrate my own reasons why I have chosen John Stuart Mill as the most established in his theory of the role of pleasure in morality. Aristotle was a particularly influentialRead MoreEssay about Aristotle and John Stuart Mill on Happiness and Morality1777 Words   |  8 PagesAristotle and John Stuart Mill on Happiness and Morality In this paper I will argue that Aristotle’s conception of eudaimonia disproves Mill’s utilitarian view that pleasure is the â€Å"greatest good.† The purpose of this paper is to contrast Aristotle’s and Mills views on the value of happiness and its link to morality. First I will describe Aristotle’s model of eudaimonia. Then I will present Mill’s utilitarian views on happiness and morality. Lastly, I will provide a counterargument to Mill’sRead MoreImmanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, Plato, and Aristotle: Morals and Ethical Codes1169 Words   |  5 Pages Morals and ethics is, of course, a subject that runs deep in the discussion of philosophy. People are faced with moral dilemmas everyday, which many times society decides without thoroughly exploring their options. Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, Plato, and Aristotle are philosophers that focus on the topic of ethics, yet all have different outlooks. Kant is considered a non-consequentiality, which means he feels the intentions motives, and good will is more important than the resultsRead MoreAristotle Vs. Mill : The Debate On Happiness1750 Words   |  7 PagesAristotle v. Mill: The Debate On Happiness Is there really one definition for what it means to be truly happy? A simple joy such as a piece of candy may bring happiness to one; whereas something much larger might be the determining factor for another’s happiness. The definition of happiness is one of the most debated questions among many different philosophers and people through out the ages. Aristotle and John Stuart Mill are two philosophers who had similar ideas regarding the definition of happinessRead MoreJohn Locke And John Stuart Mill s On Liberty Essay1748 Words   |  7 Pagesas, Aristotle and Plato have more of an ancient conception of liberty and the role the individual plays in society and to the state. Whereas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill have developed a more modernized conception of liberty and the role of the individual to the state and society. Plato’s work the Republic, and Aristotle’s works of literature Nicomachean Ethics, and Politics will be contrasted against Th omas Hobbes’ Leviathan, John Locke’s Second Treatise, and John Stuart Mill’sRead MoreJohn Locke And John Stuart Mill s On Liberty Essay1200 Words   |  5 Pagesas, Aristotle and Plato have more of an ancient conception of liberty and the role the individual plays in society and to the state. Whereas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill have developed a more modernized conception of liberty and the role of the individual to the state and society. Plato’s work the Republic, and Aristotle’s works of literature Nicomachean Ethics, and Politics will be contrasted against Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, John Locke’s Second Treatise, and John Stuart Mill’sRead MoreJohn Stewart Mill and Aristotle on Happiness647 Words   |  3 Pagesman have been the foundations to modern philosophical thought. Aristotle and John Stuart Mill aimed to explain the origin to happiness, and their respective conclusions also resulted in the definit ion of morality; these conclusions also affected their view of women. Aristotle believed that it was the function of women to remain subservient to men so that man (the citizen) could flourish and provide the good life for the Polis, whereas Mill denotes that equality between men and women produces happinessRead MoreAristotle s Philosophy Of Morality And The Final Goal Of Human Life Essay1895 Words   |  8 PagesAristotle on Ethics The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle s key study of morality and the final goal of human life, has for many years been a popular and persuasive book. It offers the modern reader many useful insights into human desires and behavior despite being thousands of years old. The overarching theme behind this book is Aristotle s assertion that there are no recognized unconditional moral standards and that every ethical theory must take into consideration an understanding of psychologyRead Moreâ€Å"Are You Happy Now?† Essay1541 Words   |  7 Pagescontentment† . Even Aristotle acknowledges that everyone disagrees on the definition of happiness because we all have a different thought-process and prior knowledge. Even though there are many definitions to happiness, both Aristotle and John Stuart Mill take a similar approach when attempting to define happiness in their books. Aristotle and Mill discuss their theories of happiness and pleasure, and their views of virtue in ethics and its relation to happiness. Aristotle and Mill may have been writingRead MoreReconciling Moral Theories889 Words   |  4 Pagesthe compatibility of their particulars can be a daunting task. Determining the compatibility of John Stuart Mill’s modern moral theory of utilitarianism with Aristotle’s pre-modern moral philosophy will involve an in-depth exploration for each moral philosophy, comparing and contrasting the smallest details of each. To start, an understanding of Aristotelian moral philosophy is fundamental. Aristotle basesd his theory on the concepts of â€Å"virtue,† coming from the Greek word â€Å"arà ªte† meaning â€Å"excellence†