Ethics of the Hellenistic World

A detailed Summary of Ethics of the Hellenistic World

In comparing the ethical theories of the Epicureans, Aristotle, and the Stoics it's found that they possess three separate ideas. These ideas are different in their individual beliefs; yet attempt to accomplish the same goals of creating an inner peace and sense of well being in their followers. Generally these three disciplines had distinctly separate ideas on how to set about accomplishing these goals; the Epicureans felt that the pursuit of pleasure was the correct path to enlightenment, while the Stoics had the idea that the conformation to strict laws regarding virtue was the proper path, and as for Aristotle, he held the middle ground in this debate of the minds, feeling that moderation was the key to complete happiness.

Epicurus' ethics was a form of egoistic hedonism, meaning that the only thing essentially valuable is one's own pleasure. Anything else that has value is valuable merely as a means to securing pleasure for oneself. Epicurus associated this theory to a refined and individual view of the nature of pleasure, which lead him to recommend a virtuous, moderately frugal life as the best means to securing pleasure. His ethical theories find a foundation in the Aristotelian commonplace that the highest good is w

Hyde, William. The Five Great Philosophies of Life. New York: Macmillan, 1945.

Long, A.A. Hellenistic Philosophy. New York: Scribner's, 1974.

The core of Aristotle's account of moral virtue was his doctrine of the mean. According to this, moral virtues are desire regulating character traits, which are at a mean between more extreme character traits or vices. For example, in response to the natural emotion of fear, we should develop the virtuous character trait of courage. If we develop an excessive character trait by curbing fear too much, then we are said to be rash, which is a vice. If, on the other extreme, we develop a deficient character trait by curbing fear too little, then we are said to be cowardly, which is also a vice. The virtue of courage, then, lies at the mean between the excessive extreme of rashness, and the deficient extreme of cowardice. Aristotle also points out that the "virtuous mean" is not a strict mathematical mean between two extremes. As an example, if drinking 100 gallons of water is too much, and not drinking water at all is too little, this does not imply that we should drink 50 gallon!

Even after this comparison it is difficult to contend which of these three theories would be a valid philosophy today. As they all have their seemingly strong points, there are still intrinsic weaknesses that would not hold up under the scrutiny of contemporary philosophers.

Consequently their ethical views end in a rigorous and unbalanced severity.

nd the other virtues are needed in order to attain this happiness. To make someone wealthy it isn't necessary to give him more money, only to reduce his desires. By eliminating the pain caused by these unfulfilled desires, and the anxiety that occurs because of the fear that one's desires will not be fulfilled in the future, the Epicurean attains tranquilit

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Category: History