Aristotle 's Theory Of Moral Virtue

“Can virtue be taught?”, was a question I struggled with when Meno ask Socrates. In Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle answers the question in a way I better understand. He believes that virtue can be taught and if you are taught good behavior you are excellent. He especially believes that the virtue of a human being is “being characteristic”, which helps me understand “What is virtue? “Virtue, according to Aristotle, are the characteristics that makes us either good or bad. Everything we do is not natural we learn what is moral and immoral by what we were taught. Somethings we believe are right might not be right to others, but just because we may think it is immoral does not make it necessarily wrong. Aristotle mentions that passion is presented in the soul virtue.

Virtue ethics also referred to, as “ethics of character” by Harris is a guiding hand when discussing engineering ethics [1]. The acts of engineering ethics establish a set of obligations to be upheld by each engineer. In the general sense, this embodies the “prevention of unethical conduct”, along with promoting the safety and well being of mankind [1]. But how exactly does one measure what is to be considered “unethical” or “moral” when situations can be held under several different circumstances? This is the vital role of virtue ethics that will be explained further by taking a closer look at Charles E. Harris’ article, “The Good Engineer” and its relevance to Aristotle’s virtue ethics.

In The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle claims that there are three types of friendships. The three friendships being that of utility, pleasure, and virtue. First, in Sections 1-3, I will explain Aristotle’s claims of the three types of friendship. After that, in Section 4, I will examine Aristotle’s argument that there are two friendships that are not as lasting as the other friendship. Then, in Section 5, I will analyze whether or not the friendship of virtue can occur between only virtuous people. Next, in Section 6, I will evaluate whether or not true friendship is the friendship of virtue like Aristotle claims. Lastly, in Section 7, I will object to Aristotle’s claims.

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

In books one and two of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle lays a foundation for and explains reasoning behind his theory of moral virtue. Aristotle does this to give understanding of what it means to be morally virtuous, and how to achieve it. I believe Aristotle’s theory, in the face of objections regarding the relativity of virtue, is sufficient to achieve an understanding to what it means to be morally virtuous and how to act in a morally virtuous manner.

Aristotle’s view of virtue ethics is approached in his work Nicomachean Ethics, in which he argues that when an individual undertakes some form of action it is for an end purpose, and that the ultimate end of all ends is the chief good, the greatest good. This chief good is believed to be what Aristotle calls ‘Eudaimonia’ (meaning what makes a person truly happy) which is and should be the goal to be pursued in life by all persons. This is argued to be achieved by virtuous action and by practising the virtuous means, so that it becomes a habit (but also right), in order to become happy and live good lives. Aristotle highlights twelve golden/virtuous means (the midway point between the vices of excess and deficiency) which are as follows; courage;

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

For Aristotle, moral virtues derive from intellectual virtues. He believes that while intellectual virtues can be taught, moral virtues come from habits, customs, and training. Moral action is branched into three characteristics: knowledge, choice, and intention- knowledge being a trait of intellectual virtues, choice and intention being a characteristic of moral virtues. In order to obtain intellectual virtue, one must acquire it through learning; and in order to obtain moral virtue, one must acquire it though temperate and just acts according to Aristotle. Kevin from “Blame” believes that his neurological surgery caused the wrongdoing of his actions but meanwhile he was conscious of his actions.

In Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the idea of moral virtue. Aristotle emphasized the importance of developing moral virtue as the way to achieve what is finally more important, human flourishing (eudaimonia). Aristotle makes the argument in Book II that moral virtue arises from habit—equating ethical character to a skill that is acquired through practice, such as learning a musical instrument. However in Book III, Aristotle argues that a person 's moral virtue is voluntary, as it results from many individual actions which are under his own control. Thus, Aristotle confronts us with an inherently problematic account of moral virtue.

Aristotle, provided his account of morality, then Hume also has his own set of morality. In which, Hume mentions that “reason is the salve of the passion”(Prompt). While, Aristotle’s view is that passions are the slaves of reasons. Even though both have their own sets of morality, one of them has a better concept of morality. Hume has his own set of morals in which there are flaws. In this paper, I shall have to agree with Aristotle over Hume. Aristotle’s concept that our passions are the slaves of reasons. In this paper, I will agree with Aristotle and I would have to disagree with Hume. I shall start off with a brief introduction of Aristotle’s morals. Next, I will move on to the reasons why Aristotle has a better reasons than Hume. Then finally, I will give my closing remarks on the topic.

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.

Although nature endows humans with some faculties, such as the senses, nobody as an infant has any development of the virtues, both intellectual and moral. In Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle describes how the development of moral virtue is “due to habit” (31), and that “the causes or means that bring about any form of excellence are the same as those that destroy it” (32). Through this theory, Aristotle describes how the creation and destruction of moral virtue is the result of behaviors and habits that are developed early in one’s life and either kept or corrected as one grows older. Over time, these behaviors will either lead to a virtuous character, or to a character in which there is an excess or deficiency of the moral virtues.

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 .

Aristotle, 384-322 B.C Deeper Understanding of Virtue Ethics Aristotle’s idea of virtue states that any action or even a feeling must be done at the “right time, in the right way, in the right amount, for the right reason- not too much and not too little” (442, The Moral of the Story, 2016). Strengths of Aristotle Virtue Ethics The preferment of Aristotle’s foundation of virtuous ethics are seen through the holistic view of human nature. By this it means that virtue ethics include emotion due to it being essential to the building of one’s character. Aristotle believes that there is a social concept of morality grounded within human nature’s foundation in which there are rational and irrational sides of conflict. Strengths of Aristotle Virtue