Ethical Traditions of the West

Name of Author : Dr. K Anuradha

Abstract: In Greek tradition ethics means good life. They aimed at discovering the nature of happiness. There are differences of opinion in defining happiest life and the ways of accomplishing it. But Judeo-Christian ethics gives a completely different standpoint. For them morality does not mean happy, good or pleasant life. It means the ideal of right-mindedness before god, love of god and love of neighbour. These major divisions between ethical concepts are represented in the theories of the moralists. One regards duty and the right as their chief ethical concept while the other gives importance to be happy and views good life as the basic concern of ethics. So, critics say it is difficult to define the relationship between doing what is right and being happy.

Keywords : Western Philosophy, Western Ethics and Tradition

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