Christianity vs. Aristotle Ethics
Christianity vs. Aristotle Ethics
Two common compare and contrast scenarios is Aristotle versus Christianity. The views of Aristotle’s ethics are in some way a lot different but also if you look deep enough you can find similar views that mimic Christianity. The definition of ethics is one word, morality. Determining whether what you’re doing is either right or wrong. Most of the time, different people will answer differently if the action is considered morally right or morally wrong. Aristotle believes in eudemonia, a Greek word for fulfillment or spiritual happiness. In order to live a good life, you have to develop good habits and according to him become an ‘ideal gentleman”. The three character types are virtuous, continent/enduring, incontinent/soft, and vicious/indulgent. The one to become an ideal gentleman is obviously virtuous because it is to be morally good or the golden mean. Vicious would be the worst to be. Christianity is a little different it is more focused on faith, hope and love or the three theological virtues of faith.
Christianity’s ethics is plain and simple, you’re either a good person and make right decisions meaning being virtuous or you make bad decisions meaning vicious. In the thirteenth century, Thomas Aquinas somewhat copied Plato’s theory on the Four Cardinal Virtues. Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, and Prudence are the virtues. But later, Aquinas added three more; he added the three theological virtues, which are faith, hope and love (charity). Those became the Seven Virtues. But when there are virtues, there has to be vices. That is where the Seven Deadly Sins or Vices come about. Those are lust, gluttony, wrath, envy, greed, sloth, and pride, Christians believed that if you follow the seven virtues you will have a very good chance of going to heaven, better than if you followed the seven vices.
Aristotle’s ethics focuses on virtues of character and good habits. His big term he uses is eudemonia, which means happiness.
Two common compare and contrast scenarios is Aristotle versus Christianity. The views of Aristotle’s ethics are in some way a lot different but also if you look deep enough you can find similar views that mimic Christianity. The definition of ethics is one word, morality. Determining whether what you’re doing is either right or wrong. Most of the time, different people will answer differently if the action is considered morally right or morally wrong. Aristotle believes in eudemonia, a Greek word for fulfillment or spiritual happiness. In order to live a good life, you have to develop good habits and according to him become an ‘ideal gentleman”. The three character types are virtuous, continent/enduring, incontinent/soft, and vicious/indulgent. The one to become an ideal gentleman is obviously virtuous because it is to be morally good or the golden mean. Vicious would be the worst to be. Christianity is a little different it is more focused on faith, hope and love or the three theological virtues of faith.
Christianity’s ethics is plain and simple, you’re either a good person and make right decisions meaning being virtuous or you make bad decisions meaning vicious. In the thirteenth century, Thomas Aquinas somewhat copied Plato’s theory on the Four Cardinal Virtues. Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, and Prudence are the virtues. But later, Aquinas added three more; he added the three theological virtues, which are faith, hope and love (charity). Those became the Seven Virtues. But when there are virtues, there has to be vices. That is where the Seven Deadly Sins or Vices come about. Those are lust, gluttony, wrath, envy, greed, sloth, and pride, Christians believed that if you follow the seven virtues you will have a very good chance of going to heaven, better than if you followed the seven vices.
Aristotle’s ethics focuses on virtues of character and good habits. His big term he uses is eudemonia, which means happiness.