"Further, the wickedness of human beings is insatiable: at first the two obol allowance was adequate, but now that this is something traditional, they always ask for more, and go on doing so without limit" (Book 1, Chapter 2, Page 690, 42-45)
For Aristotle, there seems to be a predictable pattern for how wicked and greedy humans are. This pattern, in Aristotle's opinion, is unbreakable because of the fact that we, as humans, always have a desire for more. He gives the image that we are greedy beings who are always overlooking what we have to pursue something newer. So basically to Aristotle we are like small children who will have an infinite want for new toys.
This is also very evident in today's consumer society as well. We see commercials for new and improved forms of technology, for example new phones or laptops, and we have a desire for it because of how much better it is than what we currently have. But soon after we get it, something else catches our attention and its even better than what we currently have. Now we see the very thing that we desired and have obtained as obsolete because a new and improved version has come out. So even though our original desire was satisfied, another one has arisen to take its place. That is what Aristotle means by the wickedness of human beings because our desire for improvement cannot be quenched.
But is this necessarily a bad thing? Can our so-called "wickedness" actually be beneficial to us as a human race? This wickedness can also cause people not to settle with what they currently have and drive them to make improvements. This wickedness has provided us with countless improvements that allows us to further understand nature and better our race, like discovering atoms, creating fuels, or making the latest improvements to Siri. But would Aristotle agree with this? Or are my views on wickedness incorrect?
I do not think that Aristotle would agree with this but only because I think that there is a difference between the greedy wickedness that he describes and human ambition that you referencing. You are right that we as humans are always striving to improve our lot in life but I would characterize this more as determination for self and societal improvement than greed for things we don't have. Aristotle talks about people wanting things simply to for the sake of having them. The desire to explore, understand, and advance ourselves and our society is not a journey we make simply because we can, it is one we make because we want to. That is ambition.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can neatly separate ambition, greed, and wickedness. Often they are tired together. How many people do you think actually want to advance society for reasons that are totally selfless? I believe that underneath there is usually a desire to advance oneself, even in the name of advancing society. I don't think greediness necessarily has to be in terms of accumulation of goods. It can be in accumulation of power, status, or control (which true, often come hand in hand with accumulation of goods/wealth). It's completely possible to mask greediness or advancing oneself with advancing society. Sure, we do these things "because we want to." But why do we want to? Isn't there an underlying greediness or "wickedness" to it?
ReplyDeleteI think capitalism kind of depends on the idea that ambition/greed/self-love can work to the advantage of everyone. I think competition can be good for society, and in that way, those "wicked" tendencies can be helpful. I believe that a big point of Aristotle's, though, was that finding satisfaction through the accumulation of things actually won't fulfill us. It's the crude way that most people pursue happiness, but it is never really attained. People get new cell phones already knowing that they will want and buy the next one that comes out, simply because it is new. Aristotle thinks we can find the most fulfilling (and conveniently self-sufficient) happiness through contemplation.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think the idea of wickedness is so complicated when it comes to Aristotle due to the fact that he is a complicated thinker. I do not disagree with your thought but at the same time I do not agree. It is a very complex idea and it would take probably a semester to figure out. I think that our wickedness could help drive humans to strive for more than what they have but can that not also be a bad thing. The more we humans want something, the more conflicts that arises. For example look at wars that are due to natural resources. Natural resources are the second leading reason why humans go to war. During the ancient times, civilizations would go to war with one another to get control of resources such as a or source of water. I do not think that Aristotle would not agree with going to war because of natural resources. In the end it will take for us humans to decide what is good and what is not in the best of our interest.
ReplyDeleteI think that Aristotle does appreciate ambition and greed to an extent. Without ambition many people would not want to get involved in politics. But he still is very skeptical about those with a lot of ambition. He believes they can do some good if they are held in check. I think there needs to be a balance. There has to be some selfishness and ambition, and there always will be because that is part of human nature, but people cannot always be interested in only what it best and most advantageous for themselves. If we look at his views on nature he is in some ways self-interested. He believes that humans should use nature for their best interest but we still must take into consideration that nature is an end in itself.
ReplyDeleteIts difficult to compare Aristotle's thoughts on greed, ambition, and wickedness to modern capitalist society because science has enabled our culture to accomplish so much that was previously thought unfathomable. An unquenchable desire for improvement is a staple facet of our consumer centered culture where knowledge is a profitable resource and power is distributed predominantly to the wealthy. The danger of human wickedness is not that we will discover the cure to cancer or the secret to eternal life, but that we will focus solely on acquiring wealth in the hopes of gaining power. Ambition, when guided in the right direction, can be extraordinarily beneficial.
ReplyDeleteThe dichotomy concerning greed and its position in the progression of capitalism against its affinity for destructive tendencies towards nature is the central question. In the ethics, Aristotle describes the crude human as one who is concerning with sufficing passions. The virtuous human is less concerned with physical pleasures as the enjoyment of knowledge and self-awareness. While the point concerning greed’s beneficial impact regarding the progression of science and technology is a strong argument, there is also another perspective to be considered. How is the extent of nature valued? If, for example, a type of technology is developed that benefits mankind greatly within the coming century but there following causes lethal consequences with regard to environmental degradation; then how far do the benefits of greed extend? In understanding the benefits and consequences of these particular traits of humanity, it is necessary to take a holistic approach than evaluates all of the factors involved, technology and environmental conservation alike.
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