well. Humankind’s function is to exercise reason. This ethical conduct is achieved by following the Golden Mean‚ were one should always seek a middle ground between two extremes. I believe that life can benefit by following reason and a person could use a Golden Mean to determine the right action‚ however there are some instances where it shouldn’t be followed. In this essay I defend using the Golden Mean and virtue to live a good life‚ but provide specific examples where it shouldn’t be followed.
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This ideas of Aristotle being applied to our modern world has been challenged though and the main points against it are his function argument that I explained before and the most damaging of all‚ the failure of the golden mean theory. To start the function argument is repeated time and time again to show the linkage between the build-up ideas to the base of the virtuous character but it is a flawed idea. Using the fact that animals are observed to not be as smart as humans and what separates us is
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GOLDEN MEAN It all started from this very smart man named Leonardo Bonacci‚ also known as Fibonacci. Fibonacci was a very important mathematician in Europe; he is believed to be the first. He learned with Arabic mathematicians and had an Arabic learning background to math. Fibonacci had this idea of counting how many rabbits are produced in a yearí ĉ. Fibonacci started with a pair of rabbits. The next month he had a new pair‚ as well the next one too. Fibonacci started working for a solution
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2. Define “virtue” as found in Aristotle’s “Doctrine of the Mean.” “For instance‚ if ten be too large‚ and two be too small‚ if we take six we take the mean relative to the thing itself [or the arithmetical mean]; for it exceeds one extreme by the same amount by which it is exceeded by the other extreme: and this is the mean in arithmetical proportion.” In the passage from the text he is talking about the mean in terms of logic and reasoning. He is talking the mean in math or science‚ but in real
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Virtue Ethics In the field of bioethics‚ Aristotle’s ethics does not have the same practical force as action-based theories‚ especially when the dilemma in question involves deciding whether or not to do some particular action ("pulling the plug" on a patient). In any case‚ there are two ways we can apply the character based approach to bioethics. First‚ the specific healthcare provider (nurse‚ doctor‚ etc.) could continually ask themselves "What kind of character do I want to have as a healthcare
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Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” Aristotle considered ethics to be a “practical rather than theoretical study” (Aristotle on Virtue). He taught that virtue has to do with looking for the balance between extremes- the mean between excess and deficiency. The Golden Mean‚ as it was coined‚ is intended to help people identify which states of character are virtuous. The virtuous state of character is the appropriate way people feel and react to circumstances as opposed to over reacting or under reacting. He
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The Doctrine of the Mean in Aristotle’s Politics. Examining the texts of Aristotle’s "Nicomachean Ethics" and "Politics" side by side‚ one is bound to find parallels between his reasoning with regard to the individual and to the state. In "Nicomachean Ethics" Aristotle discusses happiness‚ virtue‚ and the good life on an individual level and lays out necessary provisions for the good life of a person. He maintains that virtue is a necessary element of happiness: a man will be happy if he has virtues
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Discovering the Balance Jessica Rodgers ID: 1518306 In the book The Golden Mean‚ author Annabel Lyon explores the relationship between the Greek philosopher Aristotle and young Alexander. Through the eyes of Aristotle she illustrates the oldest and most infamous student-mentor relationships in history. Aristotle is portrayed as an unpleasant‚ often cold-hearted philosopher‚ disciplined in his studies. Alexander is described as proud‚ extremely stubborn and impulsive. Despite his ruthless
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Frankenstein (Ch. 13-16) - Golden Mean Archetype Throughout the last few chapters we have been reading‚ the perspective of our monster has shifted tremendously. At first‚ we viewed the creature as frightening and menacing. As the story continues‚ we base our view on the monster due to Victor’s aggressive behavior towards the creature‚ making us pity the poor monster as he has done nothing wrong; he is just lost in a new world‚ possibly experiencing culture shock. Now the creature is venturing
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III of Macedon‚ also known as Alexander the Great‚ is known for being one of the most successful military commanders in history. It is often said that he never lost a battle and some of his military tactics are still used today. In the novel‚ The Golden Mean‚ by Annabel Lyon‚ we are given an inside look on the relationship of tutor and pupil between the famous philosopher Aristotle and a teenage boy who would become Alexander the Great. Aristotle tells this story in first person‚ and the reader is able
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