‘Aristotle’s theory of virtue is more relevant than the ideas of Confucius or Nietzsche when it comes to living in contemporary society’

(Cover image by Sarah Buttle)

Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher in the western world (Wikipedia, 2014). Aristotle’s theory of moral virtue states that our ultimate purpose or goal in life should be to reach total happiness, but to do so requires our ability to function properly. In this context, to function properly translates to our thoughts and actions according to our sense of reason and our personal understanding of moral virtues. What I understood from Aristotle’s theory of virtue, is that we must learn to make decisions that are right for our own personal benefit.

His theory is on the principles that we must find a balance between extremes in behaviour, thought, and action. Aristotle states that we must act knowingly and do the right thing because it is right, not because there is a personal stake in terms of the future possibility of pleasure or pain. In modern society today it is clear that the human race are power hungry and driven. It is easy to see how we desire money, pleasure, and honour only because we believe that these goods will make us somewhat happy. We see happiness as a short term emotion, whereas Aristotle believes it to be the answer to living a ‘good’ life (The Pursuit of Happiness, 2014). We cannot be happy and achieve success without feeling overwhelmed, sad or stressed. We cannot not improve our skills and qualities in life without making mistakes and failures.

As I researched Aristotle’s theory of virtues, I came across a common word in every reading, eudemonia, which translates to happiness (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2001). My best understanding of his theory of ‘happiness’, is not being happy because you got a new car, or passed an exam, but being happy because you have lived an overall happy life with true meaning. This is relevant in modern society as people now are under immense pressure in relation to the family unit, work and personal expectations people now have on themselves due to social comparison (Jen Roesch, 2004).

In todays society a major worldwide issue is the taking of drugs. It has become so readily available within society today and ultimately it gives humans a short-term pleasure, forgetting that it can also give a person a long period of pain and depression. People experience deep euphoria by snorting cocaine or taking substitute substances. It is well and good when you are experiencing the rush of energy, the excitement or the feeling that you are capable of taking over the world, but this of course is short term. The next day you will undoubtable feel miserable, making you want to take the drug again (Drugs.com, 2014).

This leads to a never-ending spiral of need and relief. The consequences of drugs effect not only you, but your friends and family also. Aristotle’s virtues of generosity, friendship, love, kindness, courage, self-worth and temperance become absent (IEP, 2014). These values, in Aristotle’s theory, are what make a good happy life long-term.

In conclusion to Aristotle’s theory of happiness, happiness cannot be achieved until the end of a person’s life. Hence, it is a goal and not a temporary state. Similarly, Confucius’s theory still exists within modern day society. Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher (551–479 BC) became the leading founder of Confucianism (Xinzhong Yao, 2000).

Confucius’s principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He worshipped strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives. He also recommended family as a basis for ideal government. A quote of his I loved and which portrays his beliefs perfectly is, “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself”, an early version of the well known Golden Rule (Confucius and Confucianism, 2014).

From my research on Confucius background, I gathered that family was very important to him. He lost his father at a young age and when his mother died, Confucius aged 23, he is said to have mourned for three years (Confucius Biography, 2014). Confucius’s thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known as Confucianism (Judith A. Berling, 1996).

The philosophy of Confucius emphasised personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. He states that men/women are responsible for their actions and especially for their treatment of other human beings (Confucius 2000, 2004). He believes that we can do little or nothing to change our existence, which is set by faith. Counter to this, he believes that we determine what we accomplish and what we are remembered for. This theory is seen evidently in society today with emphasis on political structure. Confucius’ political philosophy is also rooted in his belief that a ruler should learn self- discipline, should govern his subjects by his own example, and should treat them with love and concern.

Perhaps his philosophy is based on the failure of Chinese politics in his time (Wang Rui-Chang, 2009). It was extremely troubling to Confucius as his perception that the political institutions of his day had completely broken down. Confucius once said, “Good government consists in the ruler being a ruler, the minister being a minister, the father being a father, and the son being a son” (Analects, 2014).

If you take the royal family for example, the Queen fills her duties as the Queen, but also as a mother and grandmother to her family (The British Monarchy, 2014). Aristotle’s theory of virtue is more relevant than the ideas of Confucius when it comes to contemporary society.

Similarly, Nietzsche’s philosophy is still seen in modern society today. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality (Standford Encyclopaedia of Philosophers, 2011). Since the 20th century, the philosophy of Nietzsche has had great intellectual and political influence around the world. Nietzsche applied himself to such topics as morality, religion, epistemology, psychology, ontology, and social criticism (New World Encyclopaedia, 2014).

Nietzsche was raised a Lutheran but became one of history’s most famous atheists (The Hollowverse, 2014). His views may not have been accepted back then, but it is clear today that his views and beliefs are practiced all over the world (Steven Michels, 2004). That is the Nietzsche we are now familiar with, the creator of the now-famous quote…

“God is dead… We have killed him.”

Some may say this quote is too extreme, but I love it (Age of the sage, 2014). Not literally but, to the extent that society before the 1900’s was sort of obsessed with the idea of God. I feel they suffocated the ideology and that is why Nietzsche came out with this statement. He wanted people to see life from a different perspective. Nietzsche was quite critical of religion, Christianity in particular (Dr W Large, 2014).

According to Nietzsche, religion was, “a shield with which mankind protects itself from fear and anxiety over his mortality, insignificance and confusion”, influenced by Darwin, an English naturalist and geologist who is best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory (The Hollowverse, 2014). His theory of religion is evident today, as from the 1900’s onwards, religion slowly lost its value as a greater power (Human Religions Info, 2014). People began to look towards other ‘god-like’ figures. His practice of virtues is one that is translated all around the world (Aristotle and Ptolemy, 2014).

Confucius believed that we can do nothing to very little to change our existence is quite extreme to be practiced in society today. Nietzsche’s theory is quite controversial in modern society today (Influence and reception of Friedrich Nietzsche, 2014). Views and philosophies on religions should be kept to personal opinion. I believe these theory’s should be left in the history books and not enforced on any human being. With all this said, I think Aristotle theory of virtues is more relevant than the ideas of Confucius and Nietzsche.

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