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117. The Development of Virtue Through Action: An Exploration of Aristotle's Philosophy

Morality is a concept that has been debated and discussed for centuries, and its place in human existence has been the subject of much philosophical inquiry. William Search, in his books “Why” and “Conversations with chatGPT: Exploring the Theory of Morality and Existence,” proposes a theory that morality is the reason for human existence. This theory is supported by the philosophical ideas of Aristotle and Immanuel Kant, who both believed that moral behavior is essential for human flourishing.



Aristotle's virtue ethics suggest that the goal of human life is to achieve eudaimonia, or human flourishing, by practicing virtues such as wisdom, courage, and justice. These virtues are not innate but rather are developed through habit and practice, through the actions a person takes. According to Aristotle, the good of a person is determined by the extent to which their soul is able to achieve excellence through virtuous action. This aligns with Search's theory that the reason for human existence is to fulfill our moral obligations and act in a way that benefits others.


Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy posits that the fundamental purpose of human existence is to act in accordance with moral principles. Kant believed that morality is the fundamental principle of human nature and that we must strive to act in a way that is consistent with moral laws. According to Kant's philosophy, the reason for human existence is to fulfill our moral duty and act in a morally upright manner. This aligns with Search's theory that morality is the reason for human existence.


Furthermore, the idea that virtue is developed through action is reflected in Plato's statement that "these virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions." Plato believed that good character is a valuable and admirable quality and that those who recognize and appreciate this quality will be drawn to it and will want to maintain a lasting relationship with the person who possesses it. This suggests that a person's moral character is an important factor in the strength and stability of a romantic relationship.


In conclusion, the theory that morality is the reason for human existence is supported by the ideas of Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and Plato. The concept of virtue ethics suggests that virtues are not innate but rather are developed through habit and practice, through the actions a person takes. This aligns with Search's theory that the reason for human existence is to fulfill our moral obligations and act in a way that benefits others.

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