Aristotles Teachings Essay examples - 799 Words

Aristotle is a well-known philosopher, who lived from 384 BC through 322 BC, having been born and spending most of his life in Greece. According to William Turner, in the Catholic Encyclopedia, his father was physician to the King of Macedonia, and other ancestors of Aristotle’s likely also held this position. Aristotle’s parents probably planned for him to receive a medical education so he also could become a physician, but both of his parents died while he was still a child. As he approached the age of 18, he was sent to school at the university of another great and well-known philosopher, Plato. While Aristotle has been known throughout history for his accomplishments in mathematics, physics, and even arts, he also had some†¦show more content†¦If we were to imagine an object, for example a vase, we are simply playing back a previous recording of an actual sensation, or a mixture of more than one sensation, such as that of our eyes actually previously seeing a vase. So in our mind an imagination or dream is not different from seeing, smelling, hearing, or feeling an actual object, because we are simply replaying a real sensation. In his teachings, the nature of life can be explained by what makes it unique. Since the ability to reason is unique to humans, reason must be core to our nature. Aristotle felt that the ability to reason is given to humans from an external source, probably in his view a supernatural god. Reason in humans involves abstract principles, which is different from senses, which deal with actual physical communication. Still, reason starts with a sensation, which is gradually understood by the mind. That introduces the problem though, of how can humans reason on things never sensed, or without substance? Aristotle believed that the mind could form mental objects out of thought, and those objects of though become the sensation that we use to actively reason on abstract ideas, or things without substance. According to The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Aristotle believed that happiness comes from fulfilling a purpose that is inherent to the nature of a human.Show MoreRelatedTo What Extent Do Modern Versions of Virtue Ethics Address the Weaknesses of Aristotle’s Teachings on Virtue?1047 Words   |  5 PagesTo what extent do modern versions of Virtue Ethics address the weaknesses of Aristotle’s teachings on virtue? Aristotle’s idea of Virtue Ethics was influenced by his belief that all things and all humans have a purpose (a telos). For him a complete explanation of something has to include its final cause or purpose which essentially is to realise its potential. Virtue Ethics itself is concerned with the characteristics of a person rather than how a person behaves and it is this he outlined in hisRead MoreNatural Law Perspectives681 Words   |  3 Pagesexperience any other goods (Floyd). This position varies slightly from Aristotle, who considered eudaimonia to be the ultimate good. However, from this point, it can be argued that all other goods are subservient to this good of life, but – parallel to Aristotle’s perspective – this does not mean that all other goods are insignificant. Human beings also pursue knowledge and relationships, considered to be basic goods because they are contributing components to the ultimate good of life, acting in a capacityRead More Pope On The Individual, Society, And Interconnectedness1687 Words   |  7 Pagesof cultures. For instance, in Africa amongst the Buntu people, the philosophy of Ubuntu translates to â€Å"I am who I am because of who we all are†, and highlights the stark truth that you â€Å"can’t be human all yourself†. Additionally, it emphasizes Aristotle’s claim that we are all interdependent, and that it is through this dualism, that we in fact discover our own human qualities and find meaning through life. ON EUDAIMONIA, THE GOOD LIFE AND MUTUAL FLOURISHING. POPE FRANCIS: Human beings are by theirRead MoreIs Magnanimity Is Defined By Aristotle And How Virtuousness Separates The Magnanimous From The Pusillanimous And The Vain968 Words   |  4 Pagestext, it is conclusive that some of Aristotle’s teachings on magnanimity are seen in fundamental methods of judging one’s character today, while others have evolved from his early beliefs. One of Aristotle’s ideas that has somewhat changed over time is the idea that you can address someone’s magnanimity based on the awareness and accuracy of their self-worth. While society tends to focus more on external factors to determine someone’s greatness, Aristotle’s base ideas still hold some relevanceRead MoreAristotle’S Philosophy. One Of The Greatest Philosophers,1085 Words   |  5 PagesAristotle’s Philosophy One of the greatest philosophers, Aristotle, continues to impact our society today. His theories are easily applied to ethical situations in business, and especially in accounting. Philosophy studies ideals of the meaning of life, truth, and knowledges. When in challenging situations ethics influence choices. Ethics are a crucial as we use them daily in all affairs, business and personal. Our ethics direct us to choose the most ethical solutions, even in events there is noRead MoreThe Views of Aristotle’s Idea of the Prime Mover Vs. the Judaeo Christians Idea of God763 Words   |  4 PagesThe Views of Aristotle’s Idea of the Prime Mover Vs. the Judaeo Christians Idea of God The traditional theist Judaeo Christian belief of God is in many ways very similar to Aristotle’s ideas and explanations of the Prime Mover. However, although very similar in many situations, the beliefs about God and the Prime Mover can also be very different and varied. Yet, both ideologies of theists God and Aristotle’s Prime Mover follow the same foundations - they are both eternalRead MoreEssay on The Life and Achievements of Aristotle1194 Words   |  5 Pagescoated wooden block. Whenever they made a mistake they could just easily scrape it off. When the wax wore down they would simply apply a new coat. Arithmetic was taught using pebbles and an abacus. Older boys would have music and poetry added to their teaching. In music they learned to play the lyre, which is a small harp, and the flute. Homer’s poems were used as texts. The would have to memorize passages from his long poems. As the boys got older they would then learn sports and dancing. The most popularRead MoreUnderstanding Contemporary Leisure Essay649 Words   |  3 Pagestoday. To gain a better understanding of contemporary leisure, it helps to take a look at its origins during the Classical Period. During this time, Aristotle’s teachings and philosophies were significant in not only defining leisure but also exploring its relationship within society. To better understand leisure we should look more closely at Aristotle’s definition of the word. De Grazia (1962) writes that Aristotle defined leisure as â€Å"freedom from the necessity of labor† (p.11). Aristotle believedRead MoreAristotle s Influence On Modern Society1435 Words   |  6 Pageswouldn’t think of such as, that the shadow of the Earth on the moon during an eclipse was an arc. Aristotle concluded that since all things fall toward the center of the Earth or move round the Earth, that the Earth must be the center of the universe. Aristotle’s thinking made us question and make us humans share an endless desire to know more about our world, and he played a key role in these quests, which changes the way we think is quite astounding. Aristotle was born on 384 B.C. in Stagira, which wasRead MoreReview of Aristotles Nichomachean Ethics1388 Words   |  6 PagesPeters with an introduction by Hye-Kyung Kim. Aristotle was one of the great early philosophers who ventured to speak to humans about how they conducted themselves as they related to others; however, some of Aristotle’s ideologies were debated by his counterparts for hundreds of years. Aristotle’s plethora of ideas was and has been adopted by past and present philosophers as they approached subject matter that had very few definitive answers. Aristotle was born in circa 384 B. C. and died in 322 B