Week 4-1

Aristotle says that the virtues are necessary for humans to attain happiness, but he means this in terms of something we might call “flourishing” or “living well”, which he considers quite different than simply feeling good.  Thus, according to Aristotle some people might feel that they are happy, but because they lack the virtues they are not truly flourishing.  However, imagine someone that is deceitful, selfish, greedy, self-indulgent, and yet enjoys great pleasure and appears to be quite happy.  Is someone like this “flourishing” or not?  Explain your answer by using at least one quote from this week’s readings and media, and if possible provide examples from real life and/or from literature, film, TV, etc.  

Finally, using at least one quote from Hill's article, briefly discuss whether someone who ignores or harms the environment, or who uses the environment to fulfill their own desires can be said to be flourishing in Aristotle's sense.

In 600 words

Hill, T. (1983). Ideals of human excellence and preserving natural environments. Journal of Environmental Ethics, 5(3), 211-24. Retrieved from http://www.umweltethik.at/download.php?id=403Mosser, K. (2013). Understanding philosophy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.