Nicomachean Ethics Essay

for what makes an individual a friend (Allan, 1996, p.85). In one situation, an individual can describe another person as a friend, in another the title may appear less suitable. Some scholars, including Robert Bellah, draw upon Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics” and suggest that there are three components of friendship: “Friends must enjoy each other’s company, they must be useful to one another and they must share a common commitment to the good” (Doyle and Smith, 2002). In modern western societies

even modern day philosophy (Shields, 2016). His works range from a variety of topics, from friendship and virtue to metaphysics (Shields, 2016). The work that this paper will primarily discuss will be the Nicomachean Ethics. The Nicomachean Ethics talks about Aristotle’s view on virtue and ethics. Aristotle’s view on virtue is that there are two kinds of virtue; intellectual and moral. Intellectual virtue is taught while moral virtues come from habit (Ross). Aristotle compares virtue to being

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,

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, ethical virtue is at the base of every Aristotle argument. Aristotle’s goal is to discover: what constitutes human excellence? A key position Aristotle takes in ethical virtue involves habit among human actions, “Neither by nature, then, nor contrary to nature do the virtues arise in us; rather we are adapted by nature to receive them, and who are made perfect by habit.” (Nic.2.1.1103a23-25). Through this statement, Aristotle believes that humans do not have virtues

philosophy we can agree the main philosophers and theory’s that stand out are Aristotle and his virtue ethics, Kant's ethics of moral duty, and Mill's theory of utilitarianism. Although these theories are profound and each have outstanding views they have flaws that impact the lives of the masses and of the individual. Aristotle argues in his work, “Ethical Virtue: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics” found in Western Philosophy, that his theory of Ethical Virtue, while living the life of virtue you must

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, the roles and duties regarding friendship are well-delineated and exist within specific, virtue-driven parameters. Aristotle considers friendship to come to fruition not through chance or arbitrary circumstance, but through a process in which many character elements must amalgamate and correspond appropriately. Bonds among men, as Aristotle contends, depend largely on the moral attitudes and willingness to express love and accommodate the needs of the other and

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

perfect and self-sufficient, being the end to which our actions are directed.” Several renowned philosophers have rigorously pondered and have produced noteworthy works the answer to the question, “What is the meaning of life?” In his accomplished Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle, a historical Greek philosopher who thrived during the BC (before Christian) era, provides a significant and thought-provoking response to the inexplicable inquiry. Although it consists of a total of ten books, the work explores this

In this section of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle gives his ideas on voluntary, involuntary and not voluntary actions, when one should praise or blame someone, and does ignorance justify wrongful doings. Aristotle believed that in order for someone to be praised or blamed, an individual must do actions voluntarily. If the action is completed involuntarily, persons can no longer be subject to praise or blame, but rather to pity and pardon. Doing things voluntarily, are conscious actions

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