Transformation of Oskar Schindler
...stotles rules, was legitamately virtuos. Schindler is a perfect example of Aristotles ethics. Aristotle's principle of ethics is described in four main components: Pleasure and pain, habituation, the mean, and choice with knowledge. Habituation is the state of character formed by training. It gives rise to natural regularities in mind-set and behavior. Basically it is virtue that is instilled by doing good works over and over. It is not hard to change how ever. Schindler, for example, was all about money. Every day all he wanted to do was make money. This was his habituation, and it was despicable by Aristotles view. But he overlooks the ghetto and witnesses the random killings of innocent lives he made the decision to use all of his money in order to get all the Jews he could. "The Mean", is having a balance in life; not getting too much or too little. For example; Too much pleasure can cause ones head to be clouded. Too much pain and life can not be enjoyed. Schindler could not be openly joyous about his deeds because it would cause him trouble with his peers and higher-ups, but he had to make sure that the Jews were still treated with the humanity he now realized they deserved. Pleasure and pain; "Again,is he stands firm against terrifying situations and enjoys it or at least does not find it paingul, he is brave; if he finds it painful he is cowardly (Aristotle, pg. 20)." This means that someone accepting a tough challenge, grows because of it, he is brave. Conversely, declining the challenge is a sign of weakness and cowardice. Schindler, at first, was a coward according to this. He delighted in the use of laborers whom he did not have to pay. This was easy and profitable, but not in the least bit life-enriching. He eventually changed, and decided to spend his money on the Jews instead of profit from them. It was painful at first for him to endure the profit loss, but soon he found a a rewarding satisfaction from doing the right thing. This was pleasure. The underlying theme of this movie, pretty much all accounts of the holocaust and the holocaust itself is; dehumanization. Dehumanization is taking away basic human rights and freedoms. It is taking away not only a persons respect, but their very identity and soul. Humans are no longer people, ...