A quote from my ethics in contemporary society class this week:
“Consider again Aristotle’s statement, “There must first be a disposition to excellence, to love what is fine and loath what is base.” Virtue ethicists maintain it is not enough habitually to do the right act in order to be counted a virtuous person; one must also have the proper emotions. Are there moral emotions? Is it important not only to act kindly to people in distress but also to feel sympathy for them? Is it morally significant not simply to do good but also to take pleasure in doing good - to enjoy it? And, conversely, is a lack of proper emotions in the right amount at the right time a sign of weak character?” (Pojman, 180)
Thoughts?
3 Responses
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If true, how does one acquire the emotion? What should be done if it isn’t obtained?
I think life is all about charatcter, goog charater will help you meet the demands of reality.I also beleive that it is crucial that we not just act (facade) out our kindness but that we would authentically give a shat about the ones that are around us in the variuos environment that we walk in.Everyday I witness people just acting, instead I would hope that people would engage others out of their caverns of their heart,out of the caverns of our heart I beleive lie these emotions.
It’s funny because I have had to hear a lot of people’s drama in the last week or so and during their stories they’ve shared with me they begin to cry. I often am thinking to myself when the tears start to flow for them if I should be crying too. Do my tears mean that I sympathize with them more than if I don’t shed any tears? And how is my response going to be recieved? Are they just venting so someone else can feel their pain too, or are they truly seeking my advice and thoughts on the matter? Even if their situation sounds like it’s not going to get any better, are we supposed to lie to them and tell them that everything is going to be okay? Questions that just lead to more questions.