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Comparing Aristotle, The Bible, And John Locke

Decent Essays

When answering the question regarding the best way to live, it helps to draw from many perspectives. I will convey what the best way to live is by referencing Aristotle, The Bible, and John Locke. People have very different ideas on this question including of those just stated, however there must truly be a single best way to live. Or is the answer relative to the individual? It may be impossible to describe it perfectly, but we should try to come as close as possible. For me, the answer to the question is rooted in both philosophical and theological ethics and it involves being virtuous to the best of your own ability.
First and foremost, the best way to live requires one to be virtuous. Aristotle’s most notable theme in the Nicomachean Ethics is how one must be virtuous in order to live the good life. Virtue is defined by Aristotle as a disposition that aims at a mean. The key in this definition is moderation, which makes it applicable to so many virtuous. Whether you are contemplating courage, liberality, ambition, or gentleness the goal is to always be moderate and seek the mean. The one virtue that may not relate to the formal definition is justice because one can never be too just. Aristotle’s teachings on virtue provides great guidance on how to live on a daily basis. …show more content…

Aristotle was critical on aiming at a mean respective to each virtue. The Bible seems to ignore means, rather teaching us to simply be as virtuous as possible even if it is not what we want to do. The Bible does say to be courageous, moderate, prudent, and just, but the Bible says to go the extra mile and me more courageous, more moderate, etc. than Aristotle teaches. A relevant passage that comes to mind is the one that states that if someone asks for your outer garment than give them your inner one too. The bible shows that this moral philosophy is best, but Aristotle would say that this is not the best way to

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