Aristotles Approach to Ethics and Platos Divided Line Essay

Aristotles Approach to Ethics and Platos Divided Line I. PLATO 3) Explain the so-called ‘Divided Line’. What do the different levels mean? How does this apply to ethics? How does this apply to Knowledge, perception, and/or awareness? Explain in depth and detail. Plato’s ‘Divided Line’ is a model indicating not only levels of knowledge, but basically levels of everything. It is divided into four levels and two sides. The left side consists of ways we know, become aware of, and perceive things, while the right side consists of the objects of knowledge, awareness, and perception. The bottom half includes those things in the physical realm and the top half includes those things in the spiritual and intellectual†¦show more content†¦These different levels apply to knowledge, perception, awareness, and ethics in the same way. For each of these things, the higher one goes in the model, the higher one goes in any of these particular areas. For example, regarding different levels of knowledge, the lowest level is on the bottom and the highest level is on top. Therefore, the closer one gets to the top of the model, the more knowledge one has and vice-versa. The same holds true for the other areas, as well, and they are all related to each other. Using knowledge in another example, the higher level of knowledge one reaches, the higher one’s ethical standards are, as well. Because of these relationships, Plato’s ‘Divided Line’ relates to all areas of life. II. ARISTOTLE 1) Explain fully Aristotle’s approach to Ethics. What is the goal of the ethical life? What type of soul is capable of realizing the good life? How do we go about accomplishing this goal? What are the possible lifestyle choices we may lead? Are any of these conducive to leading the good life? The goal of the ethical life, according to Aristotle, is good. All human activity is directed toward this good, the highest of which is Eudaimonia. 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