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 uses book one of the Nicomachean Ethics to layout the foundational frame work from which he arrive at his theory of moral virtue. He begins by focusing on human activity, noting that all action is directed at something other than itself. He focuses on how each activity a
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Rather, the value of an action is dependent on the goal; an action is morally good if it brings us closer to the goal of being humans. To be good, is to complete your action well, and the action which distinguishes humans from animals is the ability to reason; therefore happiness is an activity of a rational being which follows and acts in accordance with virtue. Aristotle divides the soul into two portions: the irrational and rational soul. The irrational soul is comprised of two aspects, the vegetative and appetitive. The irrational soul focuses on nutrition and growth of the being, along with governing urges without regards to virtuousness, and the rational soul controls the urges produced by the irrational soul. It is the rational faculty which provides the ability to assess and determine which urges to follow that were produces in the irrational soul. Aristotle uses this framework from book one in book two to further discuss moral virtue in book two of the Nicomachean Ethics. Just as there are two types of ends and soul, there are two kinds of virtue: intellectual and moral. Intellectual virtue is that which is taught over an extended period of time. In contrast, moral virtue is that which is learned and obtained through habit. The key difference between the types of virtue is the requirement of using extended rational to conclude and obtain
Aristotle’s view of the Virtue Theory is that an individual who is virtuous must be brave, honest, and kind. In substance, the virtue theory relies on a person’s character, judgment and trust oppose to the act
Society has not changed much in the thousands of years since Aristotle first addressed ethics in Athens, Greece. Everyday situations and problems he discusses all relate to everyone in the present day. The rules of demeanor and clarifications on virtue that he suggests can all help people today attain a complete and satisfying realization of their duties as an equal member in society and ultimately discover the purpose of life.
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
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 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 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 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’s ethical views in the book are mostly Athenian associated in philosophical garb. Coming out from a period that culture was adored his writings adopted from his culture, although sometimes in his discussion and emphasis in the book expresses established thinking that can also be addressed to the rest of the world.
Aristotle found that there are two kinds of virtues of the soul. First, there are virtues of thought, such as wisdom. Next, there are virtues of character, such as generosity. The main focus of his virtue ethics lies in the virtues of character. Aristotle assumed that these virtues are learned through habit. For example, whereas intellectual virtue may arise from reading a book, the adoption of virtuous character is inherited solely by practice. Therefore, it is through a person's upbringing that moral virtues are cultivated, and it is through the habit of thinking virtuously that one can excel towards happiness.
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’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
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”.
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?