Perbandingan Etika Aristoteles dan Imam Al-Ghazali

Abstract

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that seeks to understand the essence of truth and the values of good and evil inherent in human beings. There are differences in the ethical perspectives of Aristotle and Imam Al-Ghazali regarding the concept of happiness as the ultimate goal of human life. This study aims to examine the ethical concepts of Aristotle and Imam Al-Ghazali and to identify the differences between their ethical theories. This research employs a library research method by collecting data and materials related to the topic and research problems from various literary sources. The study uses a qualitative approach. The data sources consist of primary and secondary sources.  The primary sources are Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and Imam Al-Ghazali's Islamic Ethical Philosophy, which serve as the main references for the researcher. The secondary sources include books and other literature related to the material object of the study, either directly or indirectly discussing the thinkers under investigation. The differences between the ethical concepts of Imam Al-Ghazali and Aristotle can be seen in their respective approaches to attaining virtue. Imam Al-Ghazali emphasizes the role of Islamic law (Sharia) as the primary means of achieving virtue. In his moral philosophy, reason functions as a controller of human desires and as a means of effectively attaining practical goals. Therefore, the most important aspect is how reason guides individuals toward morally and religiously righteous actions in order to attain eternal happiness in the hereafter. In contrast, Aristotle builds the foundation of ethics upon rationality, arguing that ethics is a moral virtue that is in harmony with reason and human intellect.