Aristotle 's Theory Of Moral Virtue

To Aristotle, ethics is not an exact science, it’s ruled by broad generalizations that work most of the time and are found with those of experience, the men of practical wisdom (Nicomachean Ethics, 1094b15-1095a10). We don’t need a focused study in the sciences to understand the good, all one needs is a proper understanding of how the external aspects of life: friendship, pleasure, honor, and wealth operate in concert. No aspects of friendship, pleasure, honor, and wealth ought to be practiced too much (excess) or too little (deficient); moral virtue is action performed between two extremes (Nic. Ethics, 1106b5-25). And it is by consultation that one may find the middle ground between excess and deficiency, The Golden Mean (Nic. Ethics, 1097b5-20; Nic. Ethics, 1104a10-25).

Aristotle’s theory will be discussed in full length on his theory of virtue. Now Aristotle did believe in a multitude of theories that are all based off of virtue, but also the soul. To Aristotle, virtue is an excellence, which comes after happiness and achieving our final goal. When Aristotle talks about an individual’s final goal and excellence of that

An Exposition of Aristotelian Virtues 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.

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's Virtue Ethics 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 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,

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 wrote the first book ever written about ethics titles “The Nicomachean Ethics,” and it is still one of the greatest and most influential. Its purpose is to teach us to be virtuous rather than to understand what virtue is. (Aristotle, 2009)

Therefore, happiness is the highest act of virtue because it is the only end in every action we preform. A person that preforms an action for the sake of being happy requires many steps to eventually reach the stage of happiness. When there are steps involved to reach happiness, then the action is preformed for the sake of something else and not in itself. Such as a person who wants to eat healthier because their end motive is to be happy. Therefore, the action is not preformed for the sake of just to eat healthy but to reach happiness. However, to become virtuous, a person will preform actions that make them virtuous with a firm and unchangeable character. It is a skill that is made through a habit, Aristotle states, “legislators make the citizens good by preforming habits in them”(NE, P.23), such as preforming acts of bravery. But, a brave person needs to find a balance because being too brave will lead to excess

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

Alexis Hoffman Professor Madison Introduction to Ethics October 15, 2017 TITLE There are four main philosophers that set the basis for different styles of ethics. The four Philosophers that made a huge impact on us all are Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. All four philosophers are very well known for

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

SECTION I. In this paper, I will prove that everyone’s feelings are ethically vaild. A good state of character, or moral virtue, is a reputable temperament for deliberate and free conduct of the proper sort. In providing the central concept of a morally adequate lifestyle, such concept of a state

How to come to this decision, three questions will be answered, the first how does one become a virtuous person? The second is decision- making compared to the other approaches? Finally, the criticism of virtue from Aristotle, what are they?

Aristotle’s ethical views were based around humanity pursuing a good life, or Eudaimonia. Aristotle defines eudaimonia as happiness, and postulates that it is the end goal of people.2 Eudaimonia is realized by acting virtuously. Aristotle’s view on virtues is that they are what make things exceptional. For example, a knife is exceptional, or virtuous, if it is an excellent knife. The virtues for a knife might be sharpness, ergonomics, and being otherwise well designed for its task. Likewise, virtues for humans are what make them “outstanding specimens”.