Aristotle 's Theory Of Moral Virtue

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,

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

In this paper, I will present a similarity and difference between Aristotle’s concept of a virtuous act and Kant’s discussion of dutiful action. In The Nicomachean Ethics, The source of a virtuous action happens when your passions and thoughts are balanced. It is balanced when there is

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.

Aristotle believes that there are some virtues that are more basic than others. Take for example “Pride was supposed to be the worst of all(Weston, Aristotle).” In this example he talks about pride being the worst of all ad the most evil, and he also brings up virtues such as self-control and that it would be a different kind of virtue. I think that he also has a message that all human actions point to one thing and that is the highest best/good in human life. Over all I think Aristotle’s theory would be: the right way to act and a

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)

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

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

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

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).

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.

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 .

SECTION II. ARISTOTLE: In Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s moral theory with connections resulting in responsibility, practical reasoning, and choice, are the central focuses of the opinion of ethicality. For one to live a fulfilling life is to live a good life- one full of activity- and not possessed by the worth of a person. Ones activities that are in accordance to ethical virtues are appropriate realizations to which are readily characterized towards good activities. Though the good of a person does not only reside in the behavior, but the behavior of the certain character. In Book

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”.