Example of critical thinking on understanding of the ethics of plato and aristotle and epictetus stoicism

In his response to Crito, Socrates bases his reasoning on morality to the issue of coming out of prisons. He says that he would opt for an escape if it were moral to do so. He insists on moral principles and answers Crito reminding him that no one should ever wrong another intentionally and even if he has been wronged, he should never judge the person who has wronged him. Crito on his part sees that other than the pain of losing a friend, there would be disgrace that would come because of Socrates` death for people would think Crito preferred money than Socrates` life. Crito had an alternative of offering money for Socrates` release from the hands of those who had arrested him. However, Socrates is quick to point to Crito that he should not care about the opinion of those who would say that Crito was not willing to give out money. He goes forward to add that the only opinion to be considered is that from good men who talk positively about others as they think truly about how things occur.
Plato`s work widely covers the reputation of a person on different areas that describes how he relates to the society. He uses this to explain that by accomplishing his intentions (of escaping from prison), Socrates would be exposing himself to different situations. He would be regarded to have exposed his disobedience to the law and committed various wrongs and the city would be displeasing to him. This would further imply the breaking of the agreements and the covenants earlier made. In life, it is required that a person should exercise sense of rationality so as to live peacefully with other people. A Rational nature is regarded as obedient to other, obedient to the law and acts independently with good reasoning. For one to be happy and, it does not just require a day or a short time, but a sequence of continuance obedience, keeping up with laws and living in peace within ones environment. Human success involves customs, which are guided by morals, and intellect, which starts from oneself and is improved by life’s` teachings, time and experience. We acquire good values by performing various and when learning different art, we gain by building on the good values we have already acquired.
Aristotle used Chief Good in reference to happiness to explain what is self-sufficient, final and that, which is of all things which may be done and which already are. He further explained that people seemed to develop reasoning based on life as expected and others conceiving it as pleasure and content from it. Plato on his account explains this in a different context that being brought into the world and acquiring a share in every virtue which you have to be given, you are proclaimed a citizen and you obtain freedom. In pursuing the Chief Good, no one is to stand in the way if he or she is dissatisfied with others in the city. Aristotle maintains that it is thought to rest with those who pay rather than those who receive. He further explains that with Chief Good we feel that is something in our possession, which is our own, and it is hard to be taken away from us. This merges the reasoning of the two philosophers in their work as their work explain in the broad meaning how Chief Good is achieved in almost similar understanding.
Stoic mindset sought to explain in overall the physical worlds` nature and our general knowledge in understanding it. It has a clear guidance on how best we can live our lives and provides us different means of confronting different situations at different time in the world we are living in. It is characterised by a philosophy, which helps us in inspiring our actions. Meditation is a crucial component in a stoic mindset. This involves mastering one`s emotion and incorporates achieving calmness As a building characteristic in stoic mindset, the virtue of calmness describes how freedom from distracting ones emotion is essential. However, contemporary living finds it difficult practice this type of mindset. Contemporary to mean present-day living is characterised by negative emotions that are the opposite of stoic mindset. There is too much grief, anxiety, anger and many negative emotions overriding positive emotions existence such as joy.
Epictetus describes how people should not be disturbed by things which happen rather they should be disturbed by the opinion or the reasoning accompanying them. He explains that whenever there is sorrow or unhappiness, we should never blame others rather we should blame ourselves because we are of the belief that what has happened is unacceptable. We should blame our attitude and he is clear in explaining that man is so much in charge of blaming others for severe conditions that befall him. He terms this kind of person as an ill instructed. This person is the kind of person who usually concentrates in blaming others instead of blaming himself in his shortcomings. He further explains that this person has just started to be instructed and gradually he will stop blaming others and in turn will lay blame to himself. Epictetus tries to bring this to a deeper understanding by pointing out that had death been terrible, it would have seemed terrible too to Socrates but since it didn`t, it therefore means it is our opinion of it that it is.
In describing a life that one should live, Epictetus recommends that one should wish things to happen as they are. He should occasionally turn to himself and inquire what power he has and how he should turn it to use. For a person who is intending to improve, it is essential that one should throw away thoughts of neglecting his own affairs and any other negative thoughts such as not having the means of living. Behaviour should be well regulated, both to one self and to others. This is irrespective of whether to children, one’s wife or to any other related person in day-to-day life. Silent is a very crucial guiding tool as it may form a general rule in ones living. We only need to say what is necessary to be said and in limited words. Epictetus explains that our conversation should be guided by proper principles and that when bringing the conversation with colleagues, it should be in the proper manner. He also touches on the relationship with women and recommends that pleasure with women should be abstained before marriage. A caution is made against taking the oath and that one should refuse it as much as he can when it is possible. The principles should also be maintained in the presence of stranger where silence may also be an alternative. Excessive laughter should be avoided and where there is laughter, it should not be on many occasions. A life like this so much worth living as a correct following of the principles will avoid conflicts in day-to-day life.

Work cited

-Aristotle Ethics

-Epictetus
-Plato Crito 415-422