Why Is Virtue Important - 1142 Words

Why is Virtue Important? Trough ancient Roman times, virtus was a specific virtue of one who showed a great deal of valor, courage, and dedication (online source). However, it was up to the individual whether or not to exhibit and use those characteristics that shape a true man. Some may ask what virtue means and how virtue can be described as having a positive trait and or personal quality that is of moral excellence (Merriam-Webster). Some of the most important virtues that were depicted within these readings include the aforementioned ideal systems of pietas, Epicureanism, and stoicism. Throughout this paper I will describe and relate to Virgil’s â€Å"Aeneid,† along with the texts Ovid’s, â€Å"The Tale of Midas† and Petronius, â€Å"The Banquet of Trimalchio.† Also, I will show you that wealth, a pleasure and extreme greediness, is troublesome to the ancient Roman culture. To begin, Petronius’, The Banquet of Trimalchio, shows us that wealth and having the luxu ry to have everything and anything will eventually take over one’s mind. This was a lavish life that was full of pleasure and luxury, only fit for a beast. Trimalchio was different than most people, however, he was born and raised as a slave. From slavery, Trimalchio invested a great deal of his time into trade and made a great deal of money. Along with Trimalchio s trading skills, he had a rather large inheritance, essentially making him rich. At a dinner party that Trimalchio hosts, his guests are accompanied by singingShow MoreRelatedMarta Is The Oldest Of Four Children Essay1075 Words   |  5 Pagesit is important that each child receives fair treatment. With utilitarianism, the individual’s specific situation is overlooked when considering what is for the â€Å"common good† (Bernt, 2016). This is why I believe Marta’s teachers should turn away from utilitarianism and consider more of a virtue ethics approach. Marta’s teachers should consider reflecting upon her situation using Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics. Virtue Ethics puts emphasis on the individual’s character and moral virtues. â€Å"Virtue EthicsRead MoreAristotles Philosophy on Purpose Essay884 Words   |  4 Pagesexplored by Aristotle is the Ethics of Virtues, and how to practice them. A theory included in Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics is the unity of all the virtues, and in order to be virtuous, one must exhibit all the virtues. One of these virtues being practical wisdom, or Phronesis. The role of practical wisdom is to be able to pre-determine which action will ensure Eudaimonia or happiness in different situations. In the words of Aristotle he explains, â€Å"Virtue makes the goal right, practical wisdomRead MoreBenjamin Franklins Arriving at Perfection Essay953 Words   |  4 PagesThis is something that they did during his lifetime. It is something that the audience can recognize right away because it catches your eye right off the back. An example of this is ...that I concievd the bold and... Benjamin Franklin lists his virtues in a numerical order of their importance. A person could also think by looking at Benjamin Franklins essay that it could be more of a science lab report. The way it is written could look easily like that because it has a list and a table and stepsRead MoreWollstonecraft And Plato s Notions Of Virtue1625 Words   |  7 Pagesof â€Å"Virtue† Intro: Wollstonecraft and Plato have similarities and differences concerning their notions of virtue both consider virtues to be a standard of excellence whether for an individual or a city. 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David Hume and Aristotle were among the first philosophers to use virtue ethics to differentiate between virtues and vices. According to Hume, an act is virtuous if it represents what a virtuous person would characteristically do in the same circumstances. BasicallyRead MoreArgument Analysis Of Aristotles Happiness As An Essential Purpose Of Human Life1219 Words   |  5 Pagesin itself. Aristotle was convinced that a sincerely happy life required the fulfillment of an extensive range of conditions, including physical and mental well-being. Essentially, Aristotle argues that virtue is achieved by maintaining the mean. For Aristotle the mean was a method of achieving virtue. What is the ultimate purpose of human existence? What is the end goal for which we should direct all of our activities? Aristotle claims that nearly everyone would agree that happiness is the end whichRead MoreAristotles Ethics843 Words   |  3 Pages2,00 years, during the Enlightenment. During those 2,000 years, Aristotles works were considered as good as fact and they were and still are hugely influential in Western Civilization. This is why it is important to study Aristotle. He is arguably the most influential philosopher ever. It is important to understand Aristotles Ethics because it is from Aristotle which our society takes its notions of what is good and what is not good. Aristotle defined ethics as how people should best liveRead MoreThe Theory Of Ethics And Ethics1246 Words   |  5 Pagesthese theories by looking at different examples of how someone who believes in a specific theory would respond to the situation. I have come to the conclusion after closely examining each theory of ethics that virtue ethics presented by Rosalind Hursthouse is closest to correct. Even though virtue ethics has a few flaws that I believe need to be revised, this theory is closest to what I believe is correct. This theory is well structured and has fewer controversies than th e other theories we have looked