Man's pursuit of happiness: The positive aspect of vices

• Main Author: Guerzon, Elmer
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1997
• Subjects: Vices; Utilitarianism; Conduct of life; Smoking > Physiological effect; Alcohol drinking behavior
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/1533
• Institution: De La Salle University

The use of vices, namely smoking and drinking, has been incorporated into our society. It has become a social norm among many that vices are entirely bad for the individual person but the question remains: Why do many people start and still continue to smoke and drink amidst the nature and effects of vices on our health? Smokers and drinkers admittedly have their reasons regarding their vices. The use of vices seems to be an everyday fact. These are habits which some, if not all, people find pleasurable and, at times, necessary. Vices serve some definite and significant purpose in the lives of many people. The traditional or common view shall be discussed in the light of Christian and Aristotelian ethics. Religion has been a part of our culture and upbringing. It has shaped our attitude towards life and our values in viewing certain things. In our case, Christianity has subjected us to particular views, which, more often than not, have become moral issues. With regard to vices, we were oriented on its negative view and as we live this life, we have accepted them as such. However, many still smoke and drink amidst what Christianity tells us on what is good or bad. Aristotle is known for his Nichomachean ethics. The form of ethics that he purports is basically grounded on practical knowledge. One should know what is good or bad and, at the same time, behave in such manner. However, if one does not have this ability, the person is deemed to be morally imperfect. In the words of Aristotle, he or she is not living a virtuous life. In the case of vices, Aristotle asserts that the form of pleasure acquired from these habits is bad. The positive view shall be explained vis-a-vis the doctrines of Hedonism, Utilitarianism and Pragmatism. Hedonists advocate that pleasure is desirable and good in itself. The end of life is pleasure. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, the proponents of Utilitarianism, concern themselves with the ultimate end of life which is happiness. As long as the person is benefiting from his or her vices, the same can be considered as good. William James, a pragmatist by heart, asserts that the negativeness of vices depends entirely upon the person. If this is the case, vices can be perceived or accepted as positive because the individual deems smoking and drinking as good for him or her. There is a need to find a philosophical basis on why people smoke and drink. The dialectical method of reasoning shall be used in discussing the topic. The negative view shall be the thesis while the positive view shall be the antithesis. The former shall not be given that much importance since it is already known to almost all people. What is deemed relevant to the paper is the positive view. A point of realization and, hopefully, an acceptance shall be reached after thoroughly discussing the topic that vices are not entirely bad for a person after all.