Comparing And Contrasting Our Moral Behaviours In Society (Coursework Sample)

Comparing and Contrasting
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Comparing and Contrasting
Introduction
Our moral concepts acknowledge the fact that virtue is a great attribute that should be cultivated by everyone. Virtue can simply be defined as the moral excellence that is initiated by people towards others around them. Virtues are conceptually regarded as traits or qualities that are deemed and recognized to be morally positive hence are valued as foundations of principles and moral being. Everyone is embedded with their own personal virtues which should be valued as aspects that promote individual and collective greatness. Aristotle and Benjamin Franklin both pointed out on their views regarding virtues and how they potentially affect the well-being of individuals. Focusing on their attributes in conveying aspects of virtue, both Aristotle and Benjamin Franklin bring out their point of views in explaining the fundamental concepts of the subject matter. While Aristotle and Franklin agree that virtue can be attributed as excellence in being human, they also differ greatly regarding how they envision factors that allow one to be accorded a virtuous life.
Aristotle’s definition of virtue as conveyed in his work Nicomachean Ethics, points out that virtue is recognized as a point between a deficiency and an excess of a trait. Essentially, he affirms that in every situation there is an extreme point which needs to be acknowledged as a virtue adhered to by individuals. Aristotle conveys the fact that reaching the extreme point of a situation should be considered as a point of one’s greatest virtue (Kenny, 2016). He thinks that virtuous people will act in such a manner that they reach out for the right moment to carry out the right things, in the right way, towards the right people. He firmly believes that these individuals’ feelings are bounded with the desires to give their very best without disappointing those that are around them. Aristotle points out that the motives of virtuous people does not rely on splitting the differences visible between two extremes but rather at striving to be the excellent human beings they seek to be. Essentially, these aspects lead individuals towards acting with virtue even if they may not be virtuous.
Similarities
Benjamin Franklin sought to pursuit a virtuous life as he believed it would make him a better person than he previously was. His goal was to perfect his moral concepts through the thirteen virtues he set to follow. Franklin acknowledges the fact that his attempts in living a virtuous life made him happier and better as he believed that he had positively impacted his moral aspects (Higgins, 2016). Both Aristotle and Franklin agree that Virtues are a great factor in our lives that need to be nurtured for better living. They agree over the fact that acquiring necessary virtues allows individuals to improve their lives and become happier and more successful. Aristotle points that that virtues need to be nurtured through reaching out for the extremes of situations and making the best out of it. Benjamin Franklin believes that virtues need to be groomed and practiced over daily basis if one intends on practicing a virtuous life. Franklin’s view on virtue entails one to needs to abscond from negative aspects and work on building positive attributions.
Benjamin Franklin did not derive his ideas on virtues from Puritan thoughts. From the orthodox stressed by the Puritans over the aspect of “double-calling”, it distinguished outward calling from inward calling. Puritanism preceded over the fact that the inward calling outgrew the outward calling upon an individual’s desires. Franklin however points out that this distinction influenced further development in his own policy regarding virtues which propelled him to reject the central doctrines adhered to by Puritanism (Higgins, 2016). Franklin believed that habits greatly influenced the moral behaviors of individuals hence needed to be nurtured well. His approaches in achieving progress morally was attributed from neopagan rather than Christianity in its orientation.
Differences
Aristotle and Franklin differed greatly on their attributions to how one could be attributed to attain a virtuous life. Aristotle conveyed the fact that one had to ensure that they envision the extreme ends of situations to allow them to attain the desired attributes (Kenny, 2016). He points out that the virtuous actions cannot be taken as the center of two opposite extremes. On the other hand, Benjamin Franklin closes in by implying that the positive traits one practices on are to be counted as virtuous attributions. He points out that we need to practice on attaining more virtues throughout our daily lives. Franklin brings about the fact that although one may not be virtuous, they also have a fair chance of building up their reputation over the same (Higgins, 2016). He points out that negative implications need not be abided through virtuous acts and individuals should show the will and desire to better their virtues.
Aristotle points out that’ “Happiness does not consist in pastime amusements but in virtuous activities.” Essentially, he regards the fact that engaging in virtuous acts brings happiness and joy in one’s life hence bettering g it as well. With the ...