Morality according to Aristotle and Hobbes
...because of how pleasant they are, Aristotle says that we choose good activities because they are pleasant. However he goes on to say that they are pleasant as a function of their goodness. The pleasantness, therefore, is only arrived at through good acts, not vice versa. Aristotle also discusses the principles of philosophical wisdom (the pursuit of truth) and practical wisdom (which brings about intelligent conduct). The basis of practical wisdom is the union of true knowledge of what we ought to do, and the desire to do it. Though he states that this is an important aspect of moral action, he says that philosophical wisdom is superior to it. He says that a life of contemplation comes closest to meeting the demands of happiness. Therefore in closing Aristotle states and we should be moral beings so we can live a virtuous life with the practical wisdom of what choice we should make, and the philosophical wisdom to contemplate the world around us to attain what is our ultimate goal in life…happiness. Thomas Hobbes According to Thomas Hobbes the primary objective and goal in life is self-preservation. Self-preservation is attained through the acquisition of friends, riches and intelligence. He goes on to state that humans in there natural state will constantly strive for these things, which he terms powers, throughout their whole life. In his works Hobbes discusses the natural condition of human beings, which is war. He continues into this by stating that society originates out of fear and self-interest, rather...