Aristotle's Rule Of Ethics

The rule of ethics remains to be one of the most controversial topics in philosophy. The main debate has been whether the rules of ethics are relative or universal. Philosophers have been compelled by the topic over time and argued many ideas. In relativist theories, there is no universal standard code of ethics; it varies from person to person, time to time, and culture to culture. However universalist theories believe that ethics, virtue, and vice are universal which are meant to apply to all people at all times following a standard. No matter which theory believed in, the rules of ethics create a civil world to live in. They help us decide which actions to take and which paths to choose in life. In order to be reasonable creatures, …show more content…
In other words, there is reason or purpose for everything. Aristotle noted that human beings are different from other creatures due to soul and reason. As human beings, we have the ability to try to understand why we do the things we do. In regards to the soul, Aristotle established three aspects of the soul: feelings, capacities, and disposition. The feelings are the symptoms of pleasure and pain. Capacities are the innate ability to have feelings. Both feelings and capacities are the same for everyone. Dispositions however are subjective in how inclined or ill-inclined we are to exhibit certain feelings. Although all of our souls are not the same, Aristotle states that personal happiness is the goal of ethics that all human beings strive towards. He claims this due to the way we behave being directly related to virtue and vice. Happiness lies in the middle grounds of excess of virtue and excess of vice. By pinpointing this middle ground, the best action can be determined. Happiness is then a common ground for how to live a good life. Furthermore, eudaemonia is the reward for being a good person. This happiness acts as the satisfaction from knowing that we have done the right thing. Moreover, Aristotle's notion of the soul is atomistic where we have cosmic energy created by the Gods that means that we have to be good people for the soul which returns to the universe. Perfection of the soul is the goal of ethics. In relation to happiness, arete means excellence where happiness in lives is excellence and the perfection of the soul will return to the universe as it came. Personal happiness will account for a good life for human