Aristotelian Virtue Ethics Essay

“These principles and standards provide a framework to guide ethical thinking and decision making across the various settings and roles in which Child and Youth Care Professionals serve.”

The ECA’s code of ethics is intends for all early childhood professionals, who work with or on the behalf of children and families, to carry the appropriate behaviour. This document is relevant to my study because it notifies educators about their commitment to the children, families, colleagues, community and society as well as their

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle explores virtues as necessary conditions for being happy. A virtuous person is a person with a disposition toward virtuous actions and who derives pleasure from behaving virtuously. Aristotle distinguishes between two types of human virtue: virtues of thought and virtues of character. Virtues of thought are acquired through learning and include virtues like wisdom and prudence; virtues of character include bravery and charity, which are acquired by habituation and require external goods to develop. As a consequence, not all people can acquire virtues of character because not all people have the external goods and resources required to develop that disposition.

The college of Early Childhood Educators Ethics states that the interaction with colleagues and other professionals is important. Early Childhood Educators strive to enhance the status of the profession within their work place and the community. The only way to do this is by demonstrating respect, trust and integrity. As a reward for this they receive support from the experienced one, the new one and the students looking to enter the profession. Yet again both these relate, the core idea is surrounding integrity in two different

Freakly (2002), demonstrates different methodology approaches to the reasoning behind “Ethic of care” (care ethics), p130. Freakly argues that to provide ethical care in practice, one must consider, the patterning of ethical reasoning of the individuals care, while still allowing freedom to make choice, keeping in mind what is acceptable in society.

Aristotle and Rita Manning both have different theories when it comes to ethics. Aristotle uses virtue ethics to answer questions about morality whereas Manning uses what is called ethics of caring to do the same thing. Virtue ethics claims people’s actions aim towards the highest good of happiness. From happiness, moral virtue stems from reasons governing the desires of the soul. Manning on the other hand believes that moral actions extend from people caring for one another on a personal level. By developing the ability to care for others, people become morally aware of how to act in certain situations. When the question of: “how ought I live my life?”

Why should I be moral? Arguably, that’s an incredibly difficult task to answer, which in many cases, there is simply no real defined answer to that inquiry (CITE). If that weren’t true, many philosophers, such as Aristotle and Immanuel Kant, wouldn’t have found a need to construct a universal solution. However, where are we today in terms of ethical and moral standpoints? It sounds desirable to proclaim that ancient virtues no longer matter in today’s world, but that’s simply not the case. We, as in humans, use ethics as a reference to our decision making on a daily basis. Whether it’s holding a door for someone or listening to an instructor’s lecture, ethics plays a significant role in everyday life. Although there are many different frameworks, I will only explain the impact of Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics and Kant’s Deontology as well as how they coexist and differentiate in our society.

Aristotle outlined his theory of Virtue Ethics in his book Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle focused his idea of ethics on agents rather than acts. His main idea is focused on the idea of human character- how can you be a better person? In fact, Aristotle once said: “For we are enquiring not in order to know what virtue is, but in order to become good, since otherwise our enquiry would be of no use.” Aristotle is given the credit for developing the idea of virtue ethics, but many of Plato's cardinal values influenced his ideas. Virtue Ethics is focused on the person's actions, not the consequences of that action. Aristotle believed if you had good moral values, then your actions would be "good" in theory. Rather than defining good actions,

The philosophy of virtue ethics, which primarily deals with the ways in which a person should live, has puzzled philosophers from the beginning of time. There are many contrasting interpretations regarding how one should live his or her life in the best way possible. It is in my opinion that the Greeks, especially Aristotle, have exhibited the most logical explanation of how to live the "good life". The following paper will attempt to offer a detailed understanding of Aristotle's reasoning relating to his theory of virtue ethics.

Aristotle’s thoughts on ethics conclude that all humans must have a purpose in life in order to be happy. I believe that some of the basics of his ideas still hold true today. This essay points out some of those ideas.

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics he accounts that humans should make sacrifices and should ultimately aim first and foremost for their own happiness . In the paper I will argue that it is really in a person’s best interest to be virtuous . I will do this by first describing Aristotle’s notion on both eudaimonia and virtue , as well as highlighting the intimate relationship between the two . Secondly I will talk about the human role in society. Thirdly I will describe the intrinsic tie between human actions . Finally I will share the importance of performing activities virtuously .

Happiness cannot be achieved until the end of one’s life. Hence it is a goal and not a temporary state.

Early childhood development meant may be defined as the critical years of education for toddlers. During these years they become increasingly aware of their surrounds and the behavior. Children will adapt to the behaviors which are visual to them. During these years child absorb more information than the average adult over a 4 year span. This is because their sole purpose is to learn and grow. As parents, we have to be very aware of the surrounds and things we present them with. Behavior learned now will carry out. The question of teaching them moral ethics at this point is a controversial issue.

Values and ethics are one of the most important characteristic of an individual. They basically define who we are and what we believe. There are many factors that determine our values and ethics. Culture, religion, and many other factors affect our beliefs. Many times are values and ethics can clash with different people who hold different views and beliefs. This doesn't mean our values or ethics are wrong it just means we think differently than others. Most people have a good sense of ethics and values. Knowing between right and wrong is a good foundation to practicing good ethics and morals.

Virtue, when I hear that word I think of value and morality and only good people can be virtuous. When I hear the word ethics I think of good versus evil, wrong and right. Now when the two are put together you get virtue ethics. You may wonder what can virtue ethics possibly mean. It’s just two words put together to form some type of fancy theory. Well this paper will discuss virtue ethics and the philosophy behind it.