Essay Example on Aristotle: Living Well Is Purposeful, Intentional Behavior

Aristotle's way of life as living well begins with the consideration of purpose and means. Concrete thinking is how we must think about the purpose we are aiming for. However, such thoughts do not bear fruit until they have a purpose, or determined behavior, that acts for that purpose. Intentional behavior contrasts with erratic or unthinkable behavior. With such considerations, Aristotle wondered whether there was a final or ultimate goal, a goal where everything else was a means, an objective that was not another way. In a nutshell, he sought to discern if human life had the ultimate goal, end, and purpose.

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Aristotle claimed that as one matures, the more they act with more determination and extra deliberately. They try to create a graph of life that connects all their goals. Devoid of a map of life, they cannot be acquainted with what they are attempting to do and why (LeBar, 2013). In addition, proper planning is necessary. With appropriate plans put in place, that is how the ultimate or the final goal is realized.

Human life's end for Aristotle is to prosper, to comprise of a life that is good and to live well. All actions must serve this purpose. Of course, to live, you require food, clothes, and a safe haven, however existing for yourself is the last way of life. And what does it mean to live well? Aristotle says that the ultimate goal is to lead a healthy life. This is not another way. Aristotle believes that this is evident since hardly any individuals desire to subsist in poverty.

A good life, as Aristotle holds, is that where one owns everything that is truly excellent for them in a lifetime. Furthermore, what is in actual fact fine for us all matches up to the same ordinary wishes for all. So that which is suitable for one individual is fine for a different one. In other words, there exists a good arrangement for good living.

Aristotle describes habits that are as good as virtue or excellence. The virtue of the heart is a logical virtue. The merits illustrated by the customary nature of making good choices are moral virtues. Moral virtue for Aristotle takes part in an extraordinary function in the quality of life(LeBar, 2013). Moral morality is, therefore, significant because the choices we make are vital in determining if we live in good health. Excessive bad choices can make our lives worse.

There is, therefore, a call to increase good behavior and virtues that will be of assistance to us to get that which is good for us, contrasted to dreadful practices and evil that shall lead us to what is we may be deceived to think is good. Good habits and morality are the main ways to lead a good life because they usually allow us to lead a good life and make wise choices.

Aristotle teaches that life of every person has a purpose and the function of life is to attain that goal. He explains that the purpose of life is the happiness or the earthly prosperity that can be attained by the acquisition of reason and virtue. Aristotle says that by clearly and undoubtedly understanding the end of a person's life, each person needs to maximize their abilities and to gain happiness and enjoyment by demonstrating their abilities (LeBar, 2013). This is fundamental for everyone. He argues that human achievements are driven by purpose and autonomy and that people should be proud to excel in their work.

According to Aristotle, virtue is a property that acts in a specific way, but not a subconscious or "natural" property. It is rather a habit reasonably, consciously, and carefully educated and made for itself. The "rational, conscious cautious "aspect is particularly important. Some people may be naturally generous, but they do not possess intrinsic worth because they act on natural rather than rational impulses (Moss, 2011). This is a problem for Aristotle. Indeed, desirable behavior cannot be made non-reflective. Actions can only be favorably ranked when they are done consciously, voluntarily, and rationally.

However, even if the action is favored, this person does not automatically become a preferred representative. Aristotle argued that "swallows do not make summer," and he not wrong in saying so. A kind person is a person who always acts with kindness, and you can count on kindness from them. Kindness is almost the second nature of the person, but it is, at the same time, a temperament that has been reasonably taught through moral education (Moss, 2011). Moral education is necessary because the attitude, feelings, emotions, and the desires of a person may conflict with moral behavior.

Aristotle says that skills are part of happiness and are a habit. He also explained that virtues could be understood as two bad moral values: excesses and shortages. These averages are scientific and difficult to calculate. There is, therefore, a need for one to control the mean of these two dimensions to attain a point that is not harmful to self and others.

Aristotle says that virtues as part of happiness are acquired through customs. He also explained that the virtues could be understood as the moral average of two evils. These averages are neither scientific nor easy to calculate. The morality of Aristotle is a trait of personality that governs desire and is also found among extreme vices.

References

LeBar, Mark, 2013, The Value of Living Well, New York: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199931118.001.0001

Moss, Jessica, 2011, "'Virtue Makes the Goal Right' Virtue and Phronesis in Aristotle's Ethics," Phronesis, 56(3): 204-261. doi:10.1163/156852811X575907