Essay on Aristotle

In book seven of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle sets out his theory of akrasia, or weakness of will. Aristotle attempts to explain both how such actions are possible (contra Socrates), and how we can dissolve the puzzles (aporiai) generated by our most important (kurios) commonly held beliefs, which arise in response to the actions of the incontinent person. This paper will review book VII of the Nichomachean Ethics (EN), and attempt to resolve some of the remaining questions left open by Aristotle’s critique.

In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle understands virtue is a disposition that issues correct choice. In this essay, we are given the task to explain what Aristotle means by choice, which is in turn show that choice is not wishes, opinion, nor desire. Rather, Aristotle believes choice involves desire. So, I will explain concisely why correct choice is not a tendency to opine the correct thing to do rather correct choice is an intimate coordination between our rational and desiring faculties. Thus, controlling and coordinating what we desire and why we desire something. Ultimately, leading the agent to what the right thing they should do, full stop, regardless of numerous alternatives.

During our childhood, we are continuously reminded that too much of a good thing is not always “good”, or in this case, virtuous. In American culture, alcohol quickly becomes a vice that becomes prominent during many students’ time during their high school and college years . Many students drink when they come to college for the thrill that coincides with rebellious acts during their youth. As we mature, we try to live the best life we can achieve while maintaining a certain level of happiness. Making mature decisions in college in regards to one happiness is difficult for many because students tend to avoid thinking about future consequences. In Introducing Moral Theology: True Happiness and the Virtues, William

In this module 2 Case assignment, I will be deliberating over what it is that Aristotle means to convey in his paper on voluntary action. Additionally, I will discuss the importance of differentiating between what is a voluntary, and an involuntary action. In order to achieve this, I will be presenting a brief overview of how Aristotle himself distinguished between voluntary and involuntary actions in his piece from his book, Nichomachean Ethics. To delve deeper in to how to make this distinction, I will start by looking at such factors as compulsion and ignorance, which have important roles in the classification of an action. I will also be discussing the implications of choices, opinions, wishes and the deliberation involved therein. Additionally, I will reference an example of when an action occurs that is less than

Aristotle takes the key to morality to be the concept of “virtue,” which he argues to be activity in accordance with rational principles. He bases this argument on a concept of what is “natural” for man, but his discussion is clearly limited to a small class of Greek male citizens, whom he views as the

This action of training one on what'll his intellectual and moral virtues, shows that we often time does not have deliberation when we are making a choice, due to the fact that we may be missing the rational part of the soul (intellectual thoughts), namely the intention. In book III chapter five, says Aristotle: “The end, then, being what we wish for, the means what we deliberate about and choose, actions concerning means must be according to choice and voluntary.” Here, Aristotle argues we cannot only focus on actions but also need to look at the intellectual virtues. Because an action only happens under the circumstance that one is voluntary (involves intellectual thoughts) making a choice. This argument on intention/purpose of an action impact the existence of virtue can be also used to refute relativist’s view on virtue come from the society’s

Aristotle believes that there are two kinds of virtue, one being intellectual and the other being moral virtue. He states that Intellectual virtue comes from being taught meaning we’re not born with it. Moral virtue on the other hand we develop as we grow and gain an understanding of life. “The stone which by nature moves downwards cannot be habituated to move upwards, not even if one tries to train it by throwing it up ten thousand times” (N.E. II.1) Right there he is talking about how if you are designed to do one thing, it is impossible to do the opposite no matter how hard you force it. He talks about how we gain our virtues by practicing them and using them on a regular basis. That is how we learn

     With the possible exception of Plato, Aristotle is the most influential philosopher in the history of logical thought. Logic into this century was basically Aristotelian logic. Aristotle dominated the study of the natural sciences until modern times. Aristotle, in some aspect, was the founder of biology; Charles Darwin considered him as the most important contributor to the subject. Aristotle’s Poetic, the first work of literary notice, had a string influence on the theory and practice of modern drama. Aristotle’s great influence is due to the fact that he seemed to offer a system, which although lacked in certain respects, was as a whole matchless in its extent.

The claim that “nothing terrible will happen to you as long as you really are a good and moral person, training yourself in the exercise of virtue” [527d] is one that raises questions of both truth and meaning. In order to answer these questions, one must first understand the claim itself. The audience must come to understand the context in which Socrates makes the claim. First, then, one must attempt to look at the world through the eyes of Socrates. In doing so, one finds that Socrates feels that, if justly distributed, punishment is beneficial overall.

Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and his big idea was that of virtue ethics, which is “Does this make me a better person?” For example, in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a couple undergoes a procedure to have each other erased from their memories after their relationship turns sour. They both initially felt that they would be better off if they remove all their memories they shared together because it bears too much pain on them. However, later in the movie they both realize that they were so focused on the negatives on their relationship, that they forgot all the good times they have with each other. Unfortunately, they can not stop the procedure, but they promised to find each other outside so they can start their relationship all over again after they rekindled

Aristotle and Plato both said that there are four "natural virtues": Justice, Prudence, Temperance, and Fortitude. These values are all necessary to achieve human flourishing. Another key part of Aristotle’s ethic is what he referred to as ‘The Golden Mean’. He believed that a virtue can not necessarily be viewed as a virtue when it is used in excess. For example, courage is a virtue, but in excess it becomes rashness, a vice rather than a virtue. Moreover, when there is a lack of a certain virtue, this is also considered a vice. Aristotle's ethic is based primarily on balance. There cannot be too much excess or too little of the virtue. Thus, he said: "The mean [i.e. the balance] is successful and commendable. Virtue then is a state of deliberate moral purpose consisting in a mean that is relative to ourselves, the mean being determined by reason, or as a prudent man would determine it.”

Here, Aristotle makes clear that it is in each friend’s best interest to help assist or, if possible, rectify the evil or wickedness in the individual who has deviated morally. After all, a facet of well-intentioned friendship includes ensuring a caliber of loyalty and love, not only in pleasant situations. However, the ultimate negotiation and decision must be derived from what is most suitable for the individual expending their efforts to maintain a friendship with one who has delved into the realm of wrongness. A man is justified in disengaging from a relationship if the one with whom he has previously engaged, in a specific capacity of good and consistent character has changed. If there is nothing to be done in order to reform the one who

achieve the maximum point of virtue, self – knowledge has a central role, as it is a prerequisite

truths, and forms. He had no room in his views for imagination and what he saw

Life expectancy estimates the equivalent years in full health that a person can expect to live on the basis of the current mortality rates and prevalence distribution of health states in the population (W.H.O 2012). It has increased in the west; however, the same cannot be said for developing countries due to increase in diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This essay will look at the main causes of these problems and give possible solutions, taking Nigeria as a case study, where life expectancy is 52 years with a rank of 182 out of 194 nations (WORLD HEALTH REPORT 2000). It will conclude by arguing that media and government need to take a more active approach to tackle these problems in developing countries.