The way Aristotle opens the Nicomachean Ethics is with the saying: "All art and all pursuit, and similarly all action and pursuit, are thought to aim at something Good". This quote states that no matter what your identity is or where you are in the present, there is one fulfilling hope that unites each of us as humankind, and that is to be happy. Aristotle understood this and constructed a broad set of virtues that we should follow to lead a more righteous life and finally realize the human desire for happiness. Likewise, the Disney movie Hercules, can express this message that happiness is the most significant thing in everyday life, being consistent with yourself will cause hard work to be satisfied. Analyzing the ethical framework between Hercules and the Nicomachean Ethics, the following connectable components can be traced: teleology, friendship and virtue. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Aristotle wanted to find out what the highest human good could be. The best good would be something we work for and desire as an end in itself. For Aristotle, realizing happiness is the telos of human life: “Happiness, therefore, is something definitive and self-sufficient, and is the end of action.” Every action an individual takes is aimed at the outcome of happiness, and if an individual has achieved happiness, he or she has then satisfied his or her telos and has led a “good life.” In relation to the film, Hercules, telos and virtue ethics are strongly highlighted. At the beginning of the film, Hercules continually makes bad choices and the citizens fear him because of his strength. He has not yet fully developed his virtue, thinking of "saving" the agora, but instead it was destroyed. Therefore, Hercules confesses the desire to integrate into the community and create friendships (characteristics that Aristotle highlights that an individual virtue must have). His purpose is then expressed through the song: “Go the Distance”. Hercules sings to express that he will try his best to reside and will not give up until he succeeds. Once he achieves this, that's when he believes he can be content: "I'll find my way, I can go far/I'll be there one day, if I'm strong/I know every mile will be worth it/I would." I go almost everywhere to feel like I belong." Hercules' main goal is to be happy with a decent life. Friendship is another significant segment of Aristotelian ethics. He details three different categories of friendship: helpfulness, pleasure and complete friendship. From these three types, Aristotle believes that friendship found in good is the best kind of friendship. “In poverty as well as in other misfortunes, people believe that friends are their only refuge… it is a I also help those who are in their prime in performing noble deeds, because 'two that go together' are more capable of thinking and acting." In other words, as people we always need someone else to give us comfort and help us help to live a stable life. In comparison to the film, Hercules puts his mortal life on the line to save Meg. After fighting Hades, Hercules transforms into a true hero and Meg's spirit returns to her body given the decision to choose to stay on Earth with Meg and her friends or join the gods on Mount Olympus. As a result, he found that he will remain on Earth as he developed virtue and found happiness with his friends. That being said, developing bonds between these individuals is where he calls “home” and true happiness. Furthermore, Aristotle also emphasized that virtue is through habit and practice as opposed to thought and.
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