Philosophy of Happiness and Virtue by Plato

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Questions and Answers

According to Plato, which of the following is NOT one of the Four Cardinal Pillars?

Courage (correct)

Prudence

Justice

Temperance

According to Democritus, where does true happiness dwell?

In gold and possessions

In physical strength

In flocks of cattle

In the soul (correct)

Which philosopher believed that turning attention away from the body and toward the soul is key to happiness?

Aristotle

Socrates (correct)

Plato

Democritus

What did Aristotle aim to define in his philosophy?

Guidelines for achieving community happiness Signup and view all the answers

According to Plato, what is the best life for a person?

Both a) and b) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about happiness is NOT true according to the text?

Happiness dwells in flocks of cattle Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate goal of human existence?

Living a life of virtue and excellence Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher emphasized the importance of rituals and religious sacrifice in attaining happiness?

Confucius Signup and view all the answers

According to Lao Tzu, what is the pathway to a good life?

Emptiness and being still Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about Aristotle's ideas on happiness?

Happiness is the result of engaging in activities to achieve good goals Signup and view all the answers

According to Confucius, which of the following is NOT one of the virtues that can be acquired through rituals?

Happiness Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher's teachings emphasize the concept of the "Golden Mean State"?

Confucius Signup and view all the answers

According to Thomas Aquinas, where can true knowledge be found?

In knowledge of God Signup and view all the answers

What did Thomas Aquinas consider the basis of perfect happiness according to the text?

Possible only in the afterlife Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories of virtues did Thomas Aquinas emphasize as revealed through Jesus Christ?

Faith, hope, love Signup and view all the answers

Why might human beings realize that life is a never-ending world of making decisions?

To distinguish between good and bad behavior Signup and view all the answers

What did Lao Tzu suggest would lead to experiencing the human inheritance from nature?

Emptiness of mind and stillness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common reason why individuals may make decisions harmful to others?

Personal happiness as the ultimate goal Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophers' Views on Happiness

Lao Tzu believed that the usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness, and that one should empty themselves of everything to achieve stillness.
According to Lao Tzu, this emptiness and stillness are essential for achieving happiness.

Thomas Aquinas' Views on Happiness

Thomas Aquinas asserted that true knowledge can only be found in knowledge of God.
He believed that happiness and enjoyment are two different matters, where enjoyment comes from worldly goods and physical pleasure, while perfect happiness may be possible only in the afterlife.
He categorized virtues into Aristotelian virtues (wisdom, courage, moderation, friendship) and Theological virtues (faith, hope, and love).

Plato's Views on Happiness

Plato proposed the Four Cardinal Pillars: prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude, which are thought to be useful tools for grounding humans in excellence and may even be the key to greater happiness.
He believed that the best life is one in which a person is either pursuing the pleasure of intellectual virtuousness or exercising intellectual virtuousness.

Democritus' Views on Happiness

Democritus believed that happiness does not dwell in flocks of cattle or gold, but is a property of the soul.
He emphasized the importance of valuing the soul over the body, as the perfection of the soul corrects the inferiority of the body.

Socrates' Views on Happiness

Socrates asserted that a good life is concerned with obtaining happiness, and that happiness can be obtained through human effort.
He believed that turning one's attention away from the body and toward the soul is the key to happiness.

Aristotle's Views on Happiness

Aristotle's goal was to define the guidelines for humans to follow in order to achieve happiness as a community.
He believed that all human life is made up of activity, and that humans engage in these activities to achieve a goal, which must be good or they will not participate in the endeavor.
Aristotle claimed that living a virtuous life is the ultimate goal of human existence, so a good life is one of excellence.

Confucius' Views on Happiness

Confucius believed that happiness can be acquired through rituals, which are the steps or acts whereby spiritual beings are properly served and human happiness obtained.
He construed rituals as a criterion for virtues such as respectfulness, carefulness, courage, and forthrightness.
He emphasized the importance of following rituals to assure oneself that one's actions are within the pillars of the actions of man.

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Description

Explore the concept of happiness and virtue as proposed by Plato, including the Four Cardinal Pillars: prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude. Understand how the pursuit of intellectual virtuousness can lead to a fulfilling life according to Plato's teachings.