Aristotle s Theory Of Virtue - 1493 Words

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is a reflection as to what virtue is. Aristotle’s definition of virtue can be described as the as the â€Å"state of character concerned with choice, lying in a mean relative to us, this being determined by reason and by that reason by which the man of practical wisdom would determine it† (Nicomachean Ethics, 31). In addition to that, Aristotle illustrates two types of virtue that stem from his primary idea; moral and intellectual virtue. Aristotle expounds moral virtue as actualizing from habit, in which the virtue cannot arise naturally, for the fact that nothing can form a habitual habit that contrasts from its nature. For instance, the example of the fire; it is impossible to teach the fire to burn downwards,†¦show more content†¦For instance we can look at the example of exercise; in which an excess or deficiency in exercise can ruin one’s health. The application of the Doctrine of the Mean, applies to all inst ances of virtues, in which we must find the mean relative to us, in order to be virtuous. Granted, Aristotle explains the conditions that must be met in order to be virtuous; â€Å"They must have knowledge of what they’re saying; they must perform the action for its own sake and the action must be preceded from a firm and unchangeable character† (Lecture 8, Moral Problems). In other words, actions are noble, when they are carried out noble. Furthermore, Plato’s Symposium was also a reflection as to what virtues are. Plato’s explanation of virtue is emphasised through the symposium and the Phaedrus. In the case of the symposium, the discussion of love is developed by 5 protagonists in the symposium; Phaedrus, Pausanias, Erxyimachus, Aristophanes and Agathon. They discuss the nature of love, adding their own interpretation to the previous person’s opinion. Their speeches ultimately lead to the understanding that love bestows the greatest, in other words, â€Å"Love is one of the most ancient gods, as such, he gives to us the greatest goods† (Symposium, 465). The Symposium begins with Phaedrus, who presents the idea the that â€Å"love bestows the greatest gifts† (Lecture 4, Moral Problems) ; Pausanias, explains that there are only two types of love, common andShow MoreRelatedAristotle And Aristotle s Theory Of Virtue2685 Words   |  11 PagesEpictetus and Aristotle in Practice Mankind has been searching for existential reasoning since our earliest beginnings. One of the biggest questions, the one that keeps me up at night, â€Å"How ought we to live?† will be explained from the viewpoints of Epictetus in his Enchiridion and Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics. In this paper, I will discuss both philosophies in principle and practice, while giving insight to how to they may function in a modern world situation. Although both theories have usefulRead MoreAristotle And Aristotle s Theory Of Moral Virtue1229 Words   |  5 PagesNietzsche and Aristotle were two of the most significant philosopher of not only their time but their works has lasted throughout the centuries to influence even some today’s greatest minds. Their works however could not be any separated, Aristotle is a prominent figure in ancient Greek philosophy, making contributions to logic, metaphysics, mathematics, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, danc e and theatre. He was a student of great thinkers such as Plato and SocratesRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Virtue Ethics1095 Words   |  5 Pageswhole.† ― Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics Ethics is the philosophical study of moral judgements (Solomon: 2010). Moral philosophy has long been dominated by two basic theories; deontology, inspired by Immanuel Kant, the eighteenth century philosopher and; utilitarianism or consequentialism, which derives its modern day instructions from eighteenth and nineteenth century philosophers Jeremey Bentham and J. S. Mills, respectively (Hursthouse:1999). Increasing dissatisfaction with these theories and theirRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Virtue868 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Professor Koteski, â€Å"Aristotle used a â€Å"biological† model in his approach to ethics.† His search for common components in the lives of different individuals attempted to define what led to excellence in the life of those individuals and in the life of a community. This shaped Aristotle teleological worldview as he thought that determining natural purposes was the path to the most fundamental principles in governing the people or th e city. Virtue is a state that decides, consisting in aRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Virtue Ethics2060 Words   |  9 PagesWhy does Aristotle think friendship is a good? Is he right? Aristotle outlined a guide to ethics that sought, first and foremost, a degree of applicability that does not falter in its representations of humankind. Perhaps this is the reason that Aristotle plays close attention to one of humankinds most treasured and hard-wearing concepts - friendship. It would be fair to say that friendship has cemented a position as one of the most fundamental constituents that contribute to the phenomenon of dailyRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Moral Virtue1269 Words   |  6 Pagesone 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 EthicsRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Virtue As A Mean1161 Words   |  5 Pageswork the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle posits the idea that many desirable characteristics, the virtues, are what he calls â€Å"means,† much like the concept of the average mean in mathematics. He states that these qualities are not extremes, but rather, the degree to which a given quality should be expressed so as to be virtuous falls somewhere between the extremes. He elaborates that specific locations of each mean are determined by their nature, that is, some virtues fall closer to one end of a spectrumRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Moral Virtue915 Words   |  4 Pages Given the outline of Aristotle’s theory of moral virtue, I am left to conclude that Aristotle’s position is correct. Morality is obviously not innate, but clearly anyone with proper faculties of reasoning can achieve morality. Similarly we would not judge a baby on the ac tions it takes just as one would not judge the actions of an animal because the lack of reason strips the ability to achieve morality from the being under judgement; So to say that an animal or baby is gluttonous and therefor immoralRead MoreSocrates And Aristotle s Life1491 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosopher Aristotle is widely thought to have said, The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. The earliest accounts of human history chronicle the struggle for survival against all odds. It is therefore remarkable that roughly 2400 years ago the question of virtue was raised, let alone contemplated at great length, forming a foundation upon which Western philosophers build to the present day. Socrates and Aristotle were twoRead MoreAristotles Philosophy on Purpose Essay884 Words   |  4 PagesAristotle, the last of the great Greek philosophers. He roamed Ancient Greece from 384 BC until his death in 323 BC. In this time, he wrote an enormous amount of works, a variety of books from metaphysics to politics and to poetry. His variety is exceptionally impressive. His greatest known works are the Athenian Constitution and Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle’s works of Ethics explore a vast area of topics. He states, â€Å"The goal of the Ethics is to determine how best to achieve happiness.† In order