Aristotle Virtue Ethics Analysis

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,

Aristotle was a premier Greek philosopher who had some very interesting concepts on ethics, which are collectively called the Nicomachean Ethics. His collection of work has led to the development of many theories on the basis for human existence. The main question by Aristotle’s series of lectures is the bane of human existence. According to Aristotle, humans seek happiness (4). If anything promises happiness, then human will go in the direction it leads. Aristotle was also just as interested in other areas such as virtue. His opinion of human ethical action is based on the rationality of human beings. Being rational beings, human beings will always assess situations before making decisions. Virtue is not only a predisposition found in

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 the consideration of MAID from a virtue ethics standpoint, the concern is whether a nurse assisting in the end of life process of a patient is morally and thereby ethically right. As a result of the core values of nursing focusing on saving lives and returning individuals to a state of good health, assisted dying promotes a conflicting value. Through my research I have found three consistent themes, moral intent, autonomy, and healing. I propose these be used as guidelines to determine the ethical nature of assisted dying, on a case-by-case basis. If one of the proposed guidelines is not met, the act of assisted dying is to be considered unethical. Medically assisted dying with the help of a nurse is right as long

In book 1 of Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle highlights human activity and good and the idea of happiness. He shows that every human activity is some way in fact good with finishes (goals) that may be higher than one another. He relates this idea of good to political science. You can only create a narrow view of good since everyone needs and views differ. The overall good is said to be happiness but its definition is one that can differ based on a person. His idea is that we should focus on not the mental aspect of good but the one that can be achieved and can be worked for daily. Happiness can be seen to be the overall good, as most ”good” including intelligence or wealth stem from in fact being happy as it is what a person may aim for to

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.

In Book IV Chapter 7 Aristotle discusses the virtue of being truthful. Virtue is described by Aristotle as an active condition done by choice. It is a moral mean between extremes relative from person to person. In paragraph 1, Aristotle explains that the virtue of being truthful is the mean between a braggart and an ironic person. The sphere of action or feeling that being truthful is related to is self-expression.

‘Virtue ethics’, is an agent-centred approach in normative ethics that stresses the importance of moral characters and virtues, which is unlike the two other major approaches in the field (Hursthouse, 2013) . Deontology rather emphasises the use of duties and rules, and utilitarianism emphasises the importance of consequences of one’s actions (Hursthouse, 2001). Aristotle’s (2009) theory of virtue ethics is the most widely recognised, he believes that the virtuous person is one who exhibits desirable character traits, these traits are stipulated in the four main character virtues which underpin virtue ethics.

The following analysis offers a critical discussion on how Aristotelian virtue ethics might shape a set of values underpinning early childhood education and care settings (ECEC). The provided discussion is based on specific reference to Aristotle’s virtue of justice. Aristotle was recognised as one of the greatest philosophers and his influence can be seen in the values that underpin ECEC settings. Although written in the 4th BC and in different social and cultural times, Aristotle’s theory on virtue ethics still influences many contemporary virtue ethicists including Hursthouse and Hume (Driver, 2006). Aristotle used the concepts of patient, careful, and the descriptive approach in examining the concepts of ethics (Feeney 2010). The main concept

Aristotle stated in his Nicomachean Ethics Book I, all human activities aim at some good: some goods subordinate to others (ed., Wiliam David Ross). In humanistic critics, technologies such as nuclear fission for generating electricity and gold mine, however their compensation wage (higher pay) does not enough to compare for the risk of life, as the greater risk they face (Kristine Shrader-Frechette). Technology risks is more than physical harm and inequitably distributed because there is no zero risk society.

According to Aristotle, a virtue is a ‘trait of mind’ or ‘character’ which helps human in attaining a good personality in life. Just like everything in life has its own purpose of existence, likewise, human have the “purpose to lead a good life. Aristotle argues that virtue is achieved by maintaining the ‘means’ which is a “peaceful way of life”, and he explained the nature of virtue and how we can achieve it, by using ‘moral virtue’. Although Aristotle focus more on ethical virtue, there are two types of virtue which are, ‘intellectual virtues’ and ‘ethical virtues’. Ethical virtue is habit we must pursue or learn from relatives and friends. They are not inherent, but people practice them to transform them into habitation to use them when necessary such as truthfulness, generosity, honesty, loyalty, respect, integrity, which are all example of ‘moral behavior’. While intellectual virtues such as wisdom, intelligence, prudence, originate and grow mostly by teaching. Human was not born with virtues, but we have the capacity to accept and perfect virtues within our lives to achieve the best life and develop a virtuous character. Virtue manifest itself in action, and our action which comes with reasoning after learning, is what counts as virtuous character, provided one is in a “stable equilibrium of the soul”. in choosing the action. Reasoning is what makes humans unique and the power of reasoning if used positively can make humans achieve happiness. Aristotle proposed that the ultimate end we seek in pursuing the virtuous life is to

Aristotle’s view of ethics is unique to many other branches of ethical theory in a variety of ways. To understand what Aristotle considers to be a morally virtuous life, one must first evaluate what virtue means in the given context. Aristotle’s understanding of ethics is centered on the idea of personal character. This type of ethical reasoning has come to be known as, “virtue ethics”. Virtue ethics places emphasis on the character of the individual who is acting. Virtue ethics deems certain personality traits and behaviors as “virtuous” and then evaluates human behavior based off virtuosity. Virtuous behaviors are considered the in-between points of two opposite traits or behaviors. For example, the character trait of courage is between rashness, on

It certainly would not be inconsiderate to assume that people suffering from incurable illness and excruciating pain are not living the ‘Eudaimon’ life. Aristotle’s Virtue ethics would greatly support any ways that would improve the physical wellbeing of these suffering patients. If considering euthanasia as the best option, a patient could consider the implications of Aristotle’s virtue of courage, the ‘Golden Mean’ between the vices of cowardice and foolhardiness. However, the ‘right’ course of action is open to interpretation. You could make the argument that euthanasia could be the courageous thing to do since by going through with it, you bravely face death and have the strength and will to liberate your loved ones from the heart wrenching

Aristotle’s theory on ethics deviates from the attempts of prior theories to develop absolute and universal rules. Instead, he suggests that an individual’s character should be developed to help guide their actions. For Aristotle, the path to happiness, the one thing that is in itself good, involves the acquisition and expression of virtues (McBrayer and Markie 312). In context, Aristotle defined virtue as “a state of character concerned with choice, lying in a mean relative to individuals which is determined by a rational principle” (McBrayer and Markie 315). To support his point that “happiness is an activity of the soul in perfect virtue”, Aristotle has utilized examples which are plausible to the extent that they are theoretically sound and logical, however, are limited by the vagueness of the theory itself (McBrayer and Markie 312).

Moral relativism explains a point that when it comes to morals, right or wrong, people have their own opinion. Not everyone will think something is bad and not everyone will think something is good. The difference between moral relativism and virtue ethics is that actions do not matter. It is the type of person you are on the inside. Who you are on the inside will help you make righteous decisions, regardless of the circumstances. “An ethics focused on virtue encourages us to develop the good traits and get rid of the bad ones (Mackinnon).”