A virtue is a desirable characteristic rather than a universal law or rule that should ultimately lead to individual flourishment as well as the betterment of humanity. Incidentally, engineers can use virtues such as competence, honesty, and temperance in order to attain a state of responsible professionalism. This status essentially parallels some of the claims listed in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Engineering Code of Ethics such as the statement “an engineer, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public” (NSPE, 2007). With an inherent desire to be virtuous, engineers can learn to better themselves in order to better society. In this paper, through Aristotle’s understanding of virtue ethics, I plan to demonstrate the virtues I have acquired during my time at Texas A&M University and the virtues specifically relevant to civil engineering.
Happiness, or eudaimonia, according to Aristotle, is defined simply as human flourishing. The act of flourishing
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The multitude of assignments with their vast range of topics along with the many tests and projects I have completed has allowed me to adopt the moral virtues of competence and diligence. These virtues deal with the preparedness required to accept technical jobs and the level of detail necessary to complete said technical jobs respectively. In contrast, the main intellectual virtue I have acquired is integrity. Integrity is strictly monitored and is even incorporated in Texas A&M academics through the Aggie Code of Honor which states that an Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. By obtaining and accepting the previously stated virtues as my own, I will be able to flourish indefinitely throughout my
Genuine happiness lies in action that leads to virtue according to Aristotle and this is seen
Unlike Utilitarian ethics, a consequentialist moral theory, or Kantian ethics, a moral theory based on the alignment of one’s will and one’s duty, Aristotle’s Virtues Ethics does not discuss morality of single actions but rather “what sort of person should one be? What does it mean to live a good life?” This is important for engineers to ask a similar question in their professional career, “What does it mean to be a good engineer?” because they impact society’s ability to innovate and progress technologically, while maintaining or increasing society’s quality of life. The effects engineers have has been discussed in class, including examples like the development of the lightbulb, radio, and concrete.
Integrity, which I believe resonates with me, is a trait I applied to my role. Setting an example for others under pressure allowed me to become equipped with necessary skills; moreover, I also joined the Alumni Association and carried out these skills in my senior year to effectively plan events and grow with my peers to become motivated
Philosophers have debated the distinct subjects such as justice and happiness extensively. For instance, Plato discusses the subject of justice by arguing that justice is what allows people to live excellently. In contrast, Aristotle discusses happiness by arguing that acquiring virtues enables people to achieve the ultimate goal of happiness. What is the meaning of the terms justice and happiness? The term happiness could be elucidated as a satisfaction from goals achieved or from one’s status.
The Websters Dictionary portrays or defines happiness as a state of content,satisfaction or euphoria. Happiness is something that cannot be forced or simulated and it is more that just a simple feeling or emotion. It is more than just a noun used in the vocabulary of the average third grade child. Happiness is an undescribable sentiment that anything can experience depending on that specific thing. It is natural and one of a kind.
Thus, when human function is done well, it is in accordance with virtue and best human life is achieved. In addition, it can be inferred that since Aristotle’s definition of happiness is to be virtuous, performing rational activity well can lead to happiness. In addition, Aristotle states, “if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete” (1098a18). This means that eventually there will be one virtue that is inclusive of all virtue and that displays an end, and this virtue will be in line with the self-sufficient and inclusive concept of happiness as the chief good. If this inclusive virtue and good is achieved, ultimate happiness will be achieved as well.
The ASME Code of Ethics of Engineers begins with the three Fundamental Principles that contain both utilitarian and egalitarian ideals. It states that engineers should use their skills, knowledge, and position to “enhance human welfare” as well as “increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.” It is clear that these principles are focused on guiding an engineer’s actions toward maximizing human well-being and extending the benefits to all humans and all engineers involved. Sometimes engineering is viewed as a profession of those who are gifted in their understanding of mathematics and physics and who are motivated strictly by material wealth. This is an important addition because it defines the purpose of the profession of engineering first and foremost as a way to enrich the lives of humanity, not as a method of monetary gain.
Eudemonia is a Greek word for happiness the supreme goal of human life. Aristotle believed that everything has a purpose - the good for a knife is to cut, and a good knife is one that cuts well. In the same way, Eudemonia is the 'good ' for a person. Aristotle made a distinction between subordinate aims and superior aims. Subordinate aims are small ambition whereas, superior aims are what would allow you to eudemonia
This shows a connection in his reading and he states “…happiness, [is] above all else” (12) which makes it very clear throughout the reading that Aristotle believes that the happiness is the principle that people provide as a basis of all their human actions. When we are all aiming at some good we are all aiming at the ideals that are expressed through
Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is a “theory of morality centrally concerning virtue” (Vaughn 162). Virtue based ethics is attributable to Aristotle. A virtue is a deep-seated moral disposition that causes a person to feel and act a certain way. According to this theory there is always a right action, referred to as a virtue; and a wrong action, considered a defect. Since there is always a virtuous way of acting, this means there is a model of excellence.
In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, the concept of happiness is introduced as the ultimate good one can achieve in life as well as the ultimate goal of human existence. As Aristotle goes on to further define happiness, one can see that his concept is much different from the 21st-century view. Aristotelian happiness can be achieved through choosing to live the contemplative life, which would naturally encompass moralistic virtue. This differs significantly from the modern view of happiness, which is heavily reliant on material goods. To a person in the 21st-century, happiness is simply an emotional byproduct one experiences as a result of acquiring material goods.
Aristotle proposes that eudaimonia is the most intrinsically valuable. Eudaimonia is defined as happiness, or well-being. Happiness is probably the best English word to translate eudaimonia, the term also has relations with fulfillment, success, and flourishing. A person who is eudaimon is not just merely enjoying life but is relishing life by living magnificently. One’s reputation and success, different than one’s emotional welfare, can be affected after death, which makes Aristotle’s discussion of eudaimonia after death significantly more relevant.
In utilitarian and Kantian view of ethics, such virtuous values are not taken into consideration. This short paper suggests how future engineers should apply the virtues and excellences in their fields and why virtuous engineers are more likely to contribute to society and make it better. In Aristotle’s view, virtue(arête) is defined as an essential factor to achieve happiness of an individual, while happiness(eudaimonia) is defined as an ultimate objective of human-being. Aristotle insisted that the order of priority may decide whether one’s goal should be considered as a means or the goal itself.
At the end of everyone’s lives, the goal appears to be about attaining happiness. Describing how to obtain happiness has been an issue that was debated in the past but is still talked about now . In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle expands on his view of happiness and he focuses particularly on how reason helps recognize and pursue what will lead to happiness and the good life. I feel that Aristotle’s philosophies on happiness are important works within the field of philosophy and he considered one of the………of it . In this paper, I will explore Aristotle’s beliefs regarding happiness then compare and contrast them to those of Martin Seligman.
The definition of happiness incorporates different aspects of religion, science, and philosophy. To me, being happy means that someone has discovered who they truly are and what they believe in. A study on the Jewish