One of Aristotle’s main points is that the idea of the Good is that at which all human efforts and actions are directed towards. I accepted this position with a bit of hesitancy, trying to think of some position or idea that might not work with this theory. But upon learning that Joseph Smith said essentially the same thing, I was convinced. Joseph also added that happiness would be the end of our existence “if we pursue the path that leads to it.” The Prophet and Aristotle both assume that there is an absolute standard for virtue that must be followed. Joseph could be considered a philosopher, not just because his statement agrees with Aristotle, but his own mother said that as a boy, he loved to contemplate things.
In the Gospel, we are encouraged to ponder and contemplate things because that is when we can receive revelation from God. From an LDS perspective, this is very important because we seek revelation on making decisions that will affect our happiness in the present and the future. So in a sense, we have to philosophize to some degree. There are essentially two types of actions: those that are voluntary and those that are involuntary. Involuntary actions come when one is forced or acts out of ignorance. Essentially, Aristotle argues that every man has the ability to choose for himself. Choice is used as a means to an end (being wish).
The object of wish is always the good, but people have different definitions of what is good. Aristotle says that in a practical sense, what is good varies depending on the situation. Aristotle also discusses courage and what it is. Courage falls in between fear and recklessness. Too much fear results in cowardice while too much confidence is recklessness. Fear is defined as the expectation of evil, and what makes a man courageous is if he faces his fear in the right way and for the right reason. Our attitude toward a situation is what defines us and enables us to make our choice.
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Aristotle makes the argument that we are responsible for our actions. This idea is constantly under attack today. People want all these rights given to them, but what about responsibilities? There are consequences tied to every action, but sometimes people think that they can avoid them. Aristotle says that every man either chooses to be good or chooses to be evil. He speaks of many counter arguments that men should not be held responsible because a man may have had the wrong idea of what is good or have become so self-indulgent that he can no longer control himself. In Aristotle’s eyes that man is still responsible for his actions. I would have to agree with Aristotle on this point. The only place that I can see where this might not be the case is if a man had a mental illness that inhibited his ability to control his actions. But ignoring that point for right now, every man must be accountable for his or her actions. It is a divine principle.
