Module 2

Ancient Western Moral Philosophy

 Socrates (470-399 BC)
• Wisdom=Virtue
• Wise man=Virtuous man
• He who knows what is right does what is right
• He who knows what is wrong avoids what is wrong
• A person who says he knows what is wrong but still does
it is really ignorant; he does not really know what is
right/wrong
• If one claims that stealing is wrong but steals, he does not
know how bad stealing is, otherwise he would not do it
 Aristotle (384-322 BC)
• Nicomachean Ethics
• Ultimate aim of life--summum bonum--to obtain happiness
• Whatever a person does, his objective is to be happy
• People have different ways to gain happiness
• The means to happiness are instrumental good while
happiness is the final good
What is the best way to obtain happiness?
• By self-realization, self-actualization, self-fulfillment
• Developing or cultivating and using one’s talents to the
fullest
• Doing something or engaging in a certain profession
suitable to one’s talents
• If one does something he is not good at, he would get
frustrated and unhappy
 What is a Virtue?
• It is the right or good habit
• It is doing the right thing at the right time and at the right
amount
 What is a Vice?
• It is the opposite of virtue
• It is doing something in excess or deficient
• Doing something too much or too little
• In all things, moderation; too much or too little of
something is not good
Virtue is the Golden Mean, the Middle of 2
Vices:
Vice of Deficiency Virtue Vice of Excess
cowardice courage foolhardiness
self-depreciation truthfulness boastfulness
insensibility temperance licentiousness
contentiousness friendliness obsequiousness
boorishness wittiness buffoonery
 Man=Senses+Reason
• Reason should control the emotions, to have an orderly
life
• Man should cultivate his rationality
• The pursuit of intellectual pleasures leads to happiness
• Religious contemplation, philosophy, science
 Virtue Ethics
• Concerned more with how people live than individual acts
• Judge people’s lives rather than individual acts
• Virtuous people are expected to do good consistently
• A good life is a virtuous life
 Epicurus (341-271 BC)
• Post-Aristotelian philosopher
• Although Epicureanism is named after him, his teachings
are very different
• Founder of the Epicurean School
• Also an Atomist
 People’s Fear of Divine Punishment after Death
• Epicurus tried to give people peace of mind by assuring
them that there was no need to worry
• The gods exist but they don’t interfere with the affairs of
men; no divine punishment
• The gods stay in the intermundia, beautiful and happy,
w/o thought of human affairs; they eat, drink and speak
Greek
• All things are made of atoms, including the body and soul
making up man
• No immortality or life after death; at death the soul is
dispersed
 Hedonism
• Pleasure is the purpose of life
• Happiness consists of pleasure
• One should pursue pleasure which endures, not short-
lived
• Pleasure consists more of the absence of pain
• Pleasure can be found in the serenity of the soul or peace
of mind, together with the health of the body
• Emphasizes intellectual, not bodily, pleasure
 Importance of Prudence
• We should exercise prudence, wise or careful judgment,
in the selection of pleasure
• Not all pleasures are to be chosen and not all pains are to
be avoided
• Some pleasures can lead to greater pain while some
pains can lead to greater pleasure
• Have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of
pleasures and pains
 Simplicity of Life
• Better to lead a simple life
• Don’t have many needs
• Reduce needs to a minimum
• To have many needs is to multiply the sources of pain
• Simple life--all desires are fully satisfied, and there is
serenity of the soul
• Can’t be happy with too many desires
 Virtuous Man
• One who knows how to search for pleasure
• Prudent man
• All virtues come from prudence
 Friendship
• Gives pleasure
• We ought to make friends
• W/o friendship, a man can’t live a secure and tranquil life
• Happy man--has nothing to fear from those around him
 Epictetus (50-120 AD)
• Stoicism
• Teaches resignation/indifference
• Don’t give too much importance or value on something; if
you lose it or don’t get it, you feel bad
• Man should accept all that happen to him as fate, w/o
complaint
• Learn to let go of something we value but which we can’t
possess
• Nothing last forever
• Epictetus advocates cleanliness, temperance, modesty,
chastity, simplicity, veracity, loyalty, piety, patriotism
• Against war
• All men are brothers
• We should love all
• Never return evil for evil