Conventional Virtue

In the world we live in today the perception of happiness is much distorted. In order for one to attain happiness, one must be first definite of what happiness actually is. The question becomes, what is the best way of life, what is happiness? Plato believes that happiness occurs once the soul is departed from the body; thus being purified. On the other hand, Aristotle believes that in order for one to be happy one must be virtuous and reason well. However, both views discuss how being virtuous in different ways can lead to one’s happiness. The conflict between the two lies on what qualifies as true virtue; Plato suggests that virtue is often an illusion and Aristotle believes that there is no further end to virtue. Plato’s critique of conventional virtue is limited and fails to acknowledge that true morality is not just in the service of knowledge. Aristotle suggests that perhaps happiness is part of this life and involves everybody. Being truly virtuous does not concern knowledge; being truly virtuous is about living a virtuous life.

Plato believes that virtue is purification, and in order to reach purification separation of the soul and body must occur which leads to knowledge. To be dead is the happiest the soul can be! Dying is accomplishing what the soul has always longed for. Purification leads to knowledge; thus achieving knowledge and wisdom is happiness. For this reason, one ought to be moderate in order to limit ones desires, thus one should be brave only because one does not fear death. One must only exchange fears for wisdom.

Plato criticizes the conventional virtue as being “an illusory appearance” of virtue. The concept of conventional virtue is the idea that courage can be a good thing with moderate behavior, if not it leads to bad things. Plato says that conventional virtue is not true virtue, but only the “illusory appearance of virtue”. For Plato, virtue is purification, separation of the soul and body which leads to knowledge. For example,...