Questions We Can Help You To Answer

Paper instructions:

Aristotle and Kant have contrasting views about the goal of ethics. Aristotle believes that we ought to be aiming at excellence in rational activities, and that ethics is a description of the character of a person capable of achieving such excellence. Kant believes that we ought to be aiming at the perfection of our wills, and that ethics is a description of a good will.

a. Using about a page, give Aristotle’s argument for the claim that excellence in rational activities is the human function — is the ultimate, all-encompassing good.

b. Using about a page, explain Kant’s argument for the claim that a good will is the sole ultimate, unconditional good.

c. Using about a page, explain which of those views you find more plausible, and why. Your answer must include a description of some defect in the best argument offered for the answer that you think is wrong (e.g., if you adopt Aristotle’s view, you have to say how Kant went logically wrong, not just that he did).

d. Using about a page, explain your own view of the good to be sought in ethical action. (Yes, I have basically just asked you what you think that the meaning of life is.) You must make it clear why your view is the right view, or is a plausible contender for being the right view. We’ve already been through relativism — you don’t get to evade having a view by saying that it’s up to everyone to decide for him- or herself, as you are one of those him- or herselves who has to decide. You must take a stand.