Aristotle 's The Kindest Cut

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.”

According to Aristotle, the virtues are an instrumental part of achieving eudaimonia (or happiness/human fulfillment), however, they must be practiced in moderation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church also discusses virtues as being an instrumental component "in leading a morally good life" ("The Virtues") but differentiates itself from Aristotle because there is no limit to how virtuous a life a person of the church can live. The Catechism states that "The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God," ("The Virtues") and although that is an impossible task, it is encouraging people to reach for their full potential stating that no person can live too virtuously. Aristotle disagrees with this argument.

In the work Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle defines Happiness as the final or highest end a human being strives for. He also claims that in order to live a “happy life” one must live a Life of Virtue. But how does one live a life of virtue without knowing what the virtues are or how to go about performing virtuous acts? Aristotle claims that we begin to acquire the virtues by first putting them into action. This is where Aristotle makes a comparison between virtuous action and craft (techne) action. He claims that moral virtue is akin to craft in the fact

In order to achieve this final, we need to live a virtuous life according to the Golden mean, which is finding the middle grounds of the virtues we live by. Aristotle explains that we should continuously act in accordance with virtues, which are acquired from our upbringing and experiences. Because Aristotle believed in teleology, he said that by aiming our actions toward an end (happiness), our souls need to work in the way of excellence.

     When talking about happiness and goodness, there must be an important quality present. According to Aristotle, people need to practice balance and moderation in their every day lives. Achieving this middle ground, or mean, translates into being virtuous in Aristotle’s mind. If virtue is present, so is its opposite vise. For every virtue, there are two vices. One vice is excessive while the other is deficiency. Courage works as a great example because it is virtuous. The excessive vise is recklessness and the

He defines happiness as something that self-sufficient, final, and the end of action. Although he finds it cliché to say that it is the chief good, he argues that all the things human strive for, health, honor, and wealth all aim at the same one goal. He did not state that it was something we, necessarily, should aim at, but that it is something that we aim at, at default. He asserts that happiness is the highest goodness

Virtuous behavior is to experience emotions at the right time, toward the right object or people for the right reason in the right manner in accordance with the mean. – Aristotle

The first virtue discussed is Courage or Bravery, and Aristotle claims that this virtue is the happy medium between impulsiveness and pusillanimity. He explains that fear is good in some situations such as, “It is noble to fear some things, such as a bad reputation” (Moschella). And the ultimate fear is death, but one should only fear death if it is in a brave or noble death such as in war. The next virtue is Temperance and this virtue is the balance between a healthy amount and response to pleasures. Natural desires are included in this virtue, and the only way to be intemperate is, “when he is more pained than he should by the absence of pleasurable thing” or when he indulges in the excess of pleasures (Moschella). The third virtue is generosity and Aristotle goes on to explain that the two extremes of this virtue are wastefulness and stinginess. Giving to the right person and giving the right amount are methods of practicing generosity virtuously, but giving too much and not taking or not giving enough and taking in excess is the opposite of virtuousness (Moschella). To explain the fourth virtue we must understand the definition of munificence, which

Virtue ethics is a concept that is used in the process of moral decision making. It is dependent on the individuals themselves rather than on society, culture and religion. Aristotle was one of the main philosophers involved in virtue ethics. He was an advocate for virtue. Virtue ethics are associated with the type of person that one should become. It is solely concerned with human nature and morals. This essay will explore Aristotle’s conception of virtue. I will discuss Aristotle’s belief that virtue ethics are vital in achieving the ultimate goal of happiness. I will further consider and examine his theory of the Doctrine of the Mean. Finally, I will explore how Aristotle distinguishes between the two kinds of virtues and this will result

Furthermore, Aristotle believes when the virtuous person does an action only through the sake of it self there is no other means to the end and one will eventually become virtuous. However, when the action is preformed for the sake of something else, then a person will not reach the highest form of virtue. The reason for this is when the action that is preformed for the sake of something else, then it will not reach complete happiness because it will always desire more.

Accepting these premises, it follows that virtue is necessary for happiness. Aristotle notes that studying virtues will likely help in studying happiness and he begins this study by defining a virtue. A virtue is the mean between two extremes of deficiency and excess. For example, the virtue of

In his lecture, on September 18th, 2007, he presented an argument that an individual can lead a life full of happiness if their mindset is centered in bettering the lives of those around. The purpose of his lecture was to leave a

One of Aristotle’s conclusions in the first book of Nicomachean Ethics is that “human good turns out to be the soul’s activity that expresses virtue”(EN 1.7.1098a17). This conclusion can be explicated with Aristotle’s definitions and reasonings concerning good, activity of soul, and excellence through virtue; all with respect to happiness.

In our society today, we are mostly challenged by two questions: ‘is it right to do this or that? And ‘how should I be living in society?’(Bessant, 2009). Similar questions were greatly discussed in the history by our ancestors in their philosophical discussions. The most ancient and long-lasting literature on moral principles and ethics were described by Greek philosopher Aristotle. He had an excellent command on various subjects ranging from sciences to mathematics and philosophy. He was also a student of a famous philosopher. His most important study on ethics, personal morality and virtues is ‘The Nicomachean Ethics’, which has been greatly influencing works of literature in ethics and heavily read for centuries, is believed to be

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, believes that one acquires virtue by exercising moral habituation. Aristotle’s theory of a virtuous character is developed by aligning with the Doctrine of the Mean. The philosopher developed the Doctrine of the Mean in Book II of Nicomachean Ethics to serve the purpose of conveying Aristotle’s concept on virtue ethics. A virtuous character can be considered as a person who acts in the right manner through habit and practice rather than reasoning. Aristotle writes, “Virtue, then, is a state involving rational choice, consisting in a mean relative to us and determined by reason - the reason, that is, by reference to which the practically wise person would determine it” (Aristotle, 30). Aristotle’s