This post is about what are the diverging and converging points between the thoughts of greatest moral thinkers - Socrates , Plato and Aristotle about Morality.
Socrates believed that greatest pursuit for men is "Virtue"- showing high moral standards. He related virtue with knowledge and further with happiness. He believed that only knowledge is needed to make all men virtuous and virtue is sufficient for happiness in life. If someone acts wrongly it is due to his ignorance or lack of knowledge. His disciple Plato followed the same doctrine that identifies virtue with knowledge. Plato went on to preach that virtue is teachable. Morality is not gift of nature and can be inculcated through education. He further makes fourfold division of morals i.e . Wisdom, Valour, Temperance and Justice.
On the other hand, Plato's disciple Aristotle placed the morals in more humanistic framework. Aristotle believed that Virtue consists of both knowledge and passion. According to Socratic views, if a man has the knowledge of correct moral course of action then he will be virtuous always. However, Aristotle believed that such a man may also take unethical route due to unruly human emotions. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" sums up this situation. Further he stated that this passion can be disciplined only by constant exercise of self control. Habit is of great importance in morality.
Now that i know what these great thinker preached about morality or being virtuous, i am in a position to understand that first it is important to have the knowledge to take morally correct decisions. Then whenever one's emotions hinder, in him being virtuous he has to self discipline himself.With practice virtuous conduct becomes a habit. Further, along with Wisdom, he has to be courageous (Valour) and show Temperance to be able to pursue "Virtue".
Socrates believed that greatest pursuit for men is "Virtue"- showing high moral standards. He related virtue with knowledge and further with happiness. He believed that only knowledge is needed to make all men virtuous and virtue is sufficient for happiness in life. If someone acts wrongly it is due to his ignorance or lack of knowledge. His disciple Plato followed the same doctrine that identifies virtue with knowledge. Plato went on to preach that virtue is teachable. Morality is not gift of nature and can be inculcated through education. He further makes fourfold division of morals i.e . Wisdom, Valour, Temperance and Justice.
On the other hand, Plato's disciple Aristotle placed the morals in more humanistic framework. Aristotle believed that Virtue consists of both knowledge and passion. According to Socratic views, if a man has the knowledge of correct moral course of action then he will be virtuous always. However, Aristotle believed that such a man may also take unethical route due to unruly human emotions. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" sums up this situation. Further he stated that this passion can be disciplined only by constant exercise of self control. Habit is of great importance in morality.
Now that i know what these great thinker preached about morality or being virtuous, i am in a position to understand that first it is important to have the knowledge to take morally correct decisions. Then whenever one's emotions hinder, in him being virtuous he has to self discipline himself.With practice virtuous conduct becomes a habit. Further, along with Wisdom, he has to be courageous (Valour) and show Temperance to be able to pursue "Virtue".
