Nicomachean Ethics: Ruminations on Virtue
Humans are categorized as the only rational animal; we have the ability to reason, and using our skills of reasoning allows us to oftentimes act against what (could be considered) a “natural” instinct and do something seemingly selfless simply because it conforms to the individual’s notion of what is right. There is an inherent self-awareness to human sentience that does, indeed reasonably separate us from the animal kingdom. However our defining self-awareness and free will is precisely what feeds into the illusion that we are in complete control over our actions, when as Aristotle argues, our absolute adherence to what we believe to be morally right, is entirely dependent upon our environment.
…show more content…
Intellectual virtues, are explicitly instructed to us, (e.g. laws, rules) and full acquisition of these virtues requires both time to pass (to become intellectually prepared to understand the meaning) and experience. The “path the personhood” in a society typically must begin at a young age; simply because as one ages, they acquire more intellectual virtues, and will become more resistant to change in his or hers own virtue, it is interesting to note that Aristotle believes that virtues are incapable of being consciously changed. After describing the source of virtues, Aristotle offers an explanation pertaining to the nature of “virtuous” actions and behaviors and the subsequent reasoning behind their categorization as such. Firstly, the individual in question must be fully aware the action and its anticipated outcome. The individual must then deliberately, and of by their free will and not out of habit choose to act virtuously. A virtuous outcome as a result of an accidental action does not constitute a virtuous act, as the intent and expectation was not to perform virtuously. Lastly, the action must be rooted from the individual’s “firm and immutable character.” The motivation behind their virtuous action must be a part of the person’s character, not simply the result of external forces (or supervision.) Aristotle states the importance of virtues over
To discover the nature of human happiness it is necessary to determine what the function of a human being is. A person's happiness consists of fulfilling the natural function toward which they are being directed. This natural function is something that is specific to only human beings. This function is something that sets human beings apart from everything else in the world. Generally speaking, a person is primarily his intellect. Where the spirit and desire are also important, it is the rational part of the soul that should be considered the person's identity. Aristotle emphasized that eudaimonia was constituted by rational activities that were associated with human virtue rather than human power, or honor. According to Aristotle, the rational activity has to be indicated as pride, bravery, or friendships that are mutually beneficial, pride and honesty among others.
The way in which Aristotle begins Nicomachean Ethics is with the statement “Every craft and every line of inquiry, and likewise every action and decision seems to seek some good.” (Aristotle Bk.1, Ch.1). This is a fitting way to begin, as it addresses exactly what the entire book hopes to convey. While at this point in the novel, readers remain unaware what the good that he is referring to means, it becomes clearer and clearer as it progresses why this is such an apt beginning. The Nicomachean Ethics is devoted to the notion that all humans are attempting to seek the ultimate end, which Aristotle describes as happiness, or the Good. If, as he says, everything we do in life is to seek some good, then each action or decision we make brings us closer to the ultimate end.
As one of the greatest philosophers of all time, Aristotle was one of the greats. He altered history and the way our world views philosophy and ethics. One of his theories of ethics that he written in the form of 10 books was Nicomachean Ethics, this theory consisted of Aristotle’s perspective on the life of man and what makes a good life for man. Personally, I think his theory of ethics is a good outline of how to be an ethical and happy, I think Nicomachean ethics is a valid theory as it makes sense, and as a base line or starting point can be applied to many situations. Aristotle purposes that all human beings work toward a supreme happiness or good, this good is
As soon as I read over this question, I knew it was the one I would have to answer, because it was the one I wasn't sure I could. I felt the prompt would allow me the opportunity to directly illustrate the person that I am. However, my current knowlege and interpretation of Aristotle's “Nicomachean Ethics” has made the task reprehensibly difficult. I found myself wandering through a mind-numbingly agonizing process to properly address the prompt. This process consisted of working through two separate paths that addressed the topic. Though, I found myself seeing that both of these paths brought me further from the very virtue I was trying to show that I pursue.
Aristotle continues to speak about virtue by bringing up actions that are voluntary and involuntary. He then says that involuntary actions are done through ignorance or compulsion which would starts outside the person. There are many situations in which both voluntary and involuntary actions can be combined. He brings up an example of someone holding a family hostage and giving a person a decision to do something bad. This person chooses, but also wants to do it to save their family. Since the person wants to choose the best outcome, this is a voluntary action. This would be a noble act, but it would make us do something bad. He also says that we should not do some noble things because it may not be worth it. It is very hard to find where we
In this essay, I will provide an ethical analysis of Phil Connors’ character through the philosophical lenses of Aristotle and Plato, by demonstrating how Phil’s sour attitude at the beginning of the film turns virtuous by the end, through a self-imposed, major character shift. During the majority of Groundhog Day, Phil’s attitude toward his seemingly hopeless situation is portrayed as very outwardly cynical and condescending, thus leading him to experience pain in many forms. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics describes how virtue is acquired, similar to learning a craft (1103a32-33). He goes on to detail our personal interactions with others, saying that “a state of character results from the repetition of similar activities” (1103b14-22).
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.
I have multiple objections when it comes to Nicomachean Ethics. In my opinion, I believe that is very discouraging. Aristotle stated, “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good” (Aristotle 624). There are multiple individuals like criminals for instance, believe that they are doing a good when they shoot a bank or rob a person on the street. They are not achieving in any action a good. But if think about on the opposite spectrum of military personnel, killing criminal at war, those criminals had a family and a home. Can you describe this situation as a thought to aim at some good?
From the beginning of their evolution, human beings have been searching for the meaning of happiness. While many may see this to be an inconsequential question, others have devoted entire lives to the search for happiness. One such person who devoted a great deal of thought to the question of man's happiness was the famous ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle. In his book The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discussed the meaning of happiness and what it meant to live a good life. He asserted that the devise which has been invented to create what is good for man is called "politics;" and it "uses the rest of the sciences"¦so that this end must be the good for man." (Aristotle, I, ii) Aristotle also identified four general means by which people live their lives in order to gain happiness, but stated that only one was a means by which a person could actually attain it. According to Aristotle, it was not political power, wealth, or worldly pleasures by which a person could achieve real happiness, it was living a contemplative life.
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 Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that “virtue of character is a mean” (1109a 2). This means too much or too little of a certain character is vice. To be truly virtuous, Aristotle believes an individual must find the proper amount of character. I agree with Aristotle in that a truly virtuous person has balanced characteristics and traits, because any trait in an extreme form is undesirable. In Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle talks about bravery as one of these traits, stating “For the brave person… appears rash in comparison to the coward, and cowardly in comparison to the rash person”(1108b 20). To Aristotle, the brave man would be most virtuous when compared to the rash man and the coward, because it is the mean of the traits. I agree
In consideration to Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s view of the great-souled man is that of an individual that represents happiness and obtains the five virtues: wisdom, justice, bravery, self-control, and the overall goodness within an individual (happiness). The magnanimous person is very complex and displays the proper virtues at the proper time, and in the proper way. In addition, the great-souled man accommodates to his surroundings where he is honorable but not boastful in his actions. Aristotle believes that it is only possible to attain happiness within a political organization because happiness represents living well without being concerned with others, they solely live for the truth and not approval.
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.
We all someday intend to live and value a good life. The good life is a condition in which a person will be the happiest. Everyone wants to live a good life but in reality, we all go through trials and tribulations. Psychology is commonly defined as 'scientific' study of human behaviors and cognitive processes. Two such philosophers, Plato, who was Aristotle's mentor, has a lot to say about happiness, virtue, and political life in his masterful book, the Republic. Part of Plato's case for his view that we must be moral to be truly happy rests on a discussion of the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. As for Aristotle, happiness is not a state but an activity. In his Nicomachean Ethics, the philosopher Aristotle tries to discover what is 'the supreme good for man', that is, what is the best way to lead our lives and give it meaning. For Aristotle, a thing is best understood by looking at its end, purpose, or goal, deem the good life as the state in which a person exhibits total virtue. Going back in ancient times, how would Plato or Aristotle come up with a basic conclusion for the human soul or would they have the people discover their problems on their? Since this is more towards the clinical psychology I don't think they had a therapy like we have today. Clinical psychology is integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge to understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective
When we first started learning about Aristotles’ theory, I did not understand the importance. Aristotle wrote, Nicomachean Ethics many years ago. It did not seem like any of it would pertain to my life. After reading into his theory, I found it to be quite interesting. It was a lot more relatable than I originally thought. When we know what we are looking for, we can find aspects of his theory everywhere.