What Does Aristotle Mean

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,

There are a few big questions that are behind Aristotle’s ethics, those are, “What kind of life is worth living?” “How should I live?” and “What would a good person do in a certain situation?”. If you can not tell from those questions, Aristotle’s ethics were based mainly on what kind of people we are and what kind of people we should be, not like many ethical theories and ideals that are based on actions and decisions. Aristotle focused greatly on the telos, which is the goal or the end because he believed that you could get a greater understanding by looking at the telos. A great way to view the telos of someone or something is to look at what it in the present and then try to figure out what it will be in the future or what it has the potential

“But virtue, like Nature itself, is more accurate and better than any art; virtue therefore will aim at the mean; - I speak of moral virtue, as it’s moral virtue which is concerned with emotions and actions, and it is these which admit of excess and deficiency and the mean. Thus it is possible to go too far, or not go far enough, in respect of fear, courage, desire, anger, pity and pleasure and pain generally, and the excess and the deficiency are alike wrong; but to experience these emotions at the right times and on the right occasions and towards the right person and for the right causes and in the right manner is the mean of the supreme good, which is characteristic of virtue.” (Aristotle)

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

Moral virtue is acquired through the habituation of good acts which constantly aim for a mean between excess and deficiency in each circumstance. It is the choice of moral virtue through our acts, which allows us to satisfy a major requirement for happiness. Virtue, for Aristotle is a state in which reason helps us decide to do good acts. This is a part of our natural function as human beings, since reason is our distinguishing characteristic and good is the always the object of “correct reason.” The habituation of good acts, then, is what leads us to states of virtue in our lives. Since action always implies either pleasure or pain, it is our job to maintain the appropriate amount of each in the things that we do.

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.

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

According to the notes provided for the Virtue Ethics lecture, Aristotle states, “Virtues arise in us neither by nature nor against nature, but we are by nature able to acquire them, and reach out complete perfection through habit.” Aristotle feels that virtues are not a natural thing, but rather they are acquired and formed through habituation. He also states the good for a person is an “activity of soul in accordance with goodness.” Aristotle is demonstrating the importance of maintaining a state of disposition as a mean among the extremes of vices.

According to Aristotle, the mean is the “equal to” part, in between “greater than” and “less than”. A more context definition would be having enough so that you would not be either “excessive or deficient”. Each person have a different “mean” according to his/her standard. Aristotle gives us an example in his writing piece that ten pounds of food maybe enough for an athlete, but it would be too much for a trainer. As a knowledge person, you would be able to identify what is enough for you and choose the mean of it; a mean that personally related to you, not a mean of something. It is a guide to good living because it’s what guide your virtue, your character, your moral standard. If you can balance out your feelings and actions and not have

Unlike happiness, virtue is not an activity, but a disposition and a state of being. More precisely, it is a disposition to behave in the right manner. In Aristotle’s description, virtues are the “means” and intermediate states between what he considers vicious states (excess and deficiency). In other words, they are the moderation of desiring too much and desiring too little. For example, the state of being courageous is considered a virtuous disposition because it moderates the states of being cowardly (deficit) and rash (excess). Furthermore, Aristotle describes the virtuous person as one whose passions and deliberation are aligned; someone whose possession of goodness allows their acts to be guided by the balance of their “means” and their rationality. This means that to achieve a virtuous state one has to consistently aim for the “mean” of their actions to the point where it’s instinctive. (Nic. Ethics II 6).

In the opinion of Aristotle, “to be virtuous meant to act with excellence… everything on this earth has its own virtue, meaning that it performs the way it is supposed to by its nature” (Rosenstand 2013 p.444-445). If Aristotle felt “everything” on earth is executed naturally then why does he believe if the Golden Mean is used “an action or a feeling responding to a situation at the right time, in the right way, in the right amount, for the right reason-not too much and not too little … describes the good for man-where happiness can excel, what a human is meant to do, and where a human will find happiness” (Rosenstand 2013 p.450). Aristotle continues on to say “[t]he purpose for man is to rationally think on a regular basis, throughout his

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).

Aristotle believes that to live the good life one has to be intellectual and have good behaviors. He uses the word Eudaimonia to describe this theory which is translated to happiness. By having these two qualities, one can become a virtuous person. To be a virtuous person they have satisfied inclination that are rational desires and actually wants to do what is right, and does it. Therefore, developing healthy habits lead us toward obtaining a better life. Whereas, picking bad habits makes us believe we are headed towards things that are good but may turn out to be bad for us. By picking these respectable habits, one gets closer to being a virtuous person. He believes that what is good for one person is good for another. There are three types of good, and these are bodily goods, external goods, and goods of the soul.

Aristotle is remembered as one of the greatest philosophers of all time. His ideas on human nature, life and death, politics, and other great topics have laid the foundation for our world today. Aristotle not only succeeded in the area of Philosophy, but in the studies of History, Government, Politics, Drama, and to this day he is known as the father of Biology and the sciences. His many great ideas of the world and how we should live our lives were rarely challenged by others in his time because of how intelligent of a Philosopher he was considered to be. Today, Aristotle’s theory of drama is used screenwriters all over the world, and the outcome from his study of government systems is reflected in the U.S. Constitution. This secular genius has made a great impact on history.

First, Aristotle believes that humans should only focus on one goal and is to live a happy life by being virtuous. Therefore, we must acquire the highest good by choosing good acts over bad acts. The Highest good of human action is based on the activity of the soul by using virtue. Therefore, Aristotle believes that we need to focus on virtue because he is concerned with a persons’ character. For example, by not being virtuous can affect a person character because they are not showing moral standards. For example, temperance can effect on how we react to a situation .Also, temperance can affect us neatly because we are responding to the