Virtue Ethics And The Characteristics Of Aristotle's Virtue Ethics

838 Words2 Pages

Virtues are both important and inherent within any engineering field. Virtues outline acceptable and unacceptable characteristics for an engineer. Moreover, virtue ethics places emphasis on character rather than rights or regulations. Character is divided into two components, one being considered morally desirable (virtue), and one being considered morally undesirable (vice). Common virtues of engineers are honesty and competence. While typical vices of engineers are arrogance and incompetence. This paper will outline Aristotle’s Virtue ethics, and to what extent virtue ethics has impacted me here at Texas A&M.
Aristotle divides ethics into four categories. The first is Eudaimonia, or “happiness”. He implies that in order to be happy one must be “doing and living well”. This is an objective position that places emphasis of a well lived life with no consideration for the emotional well-being of the person. Next, is Arête, which loosely translates to ‘”virtue” or “excellence”. Aristotle suggest something is expressing arête when it takes a form of excellence through Telos, or the end goal. For example, when an athlete performs an extraordinary feat or a craftsman creates an exemplary piece, then arête and telos are …show more content…

One is the “Virtues of Thought”, and the other is the “Virtues of Character”. Virtues of Thought are composed of the substance that makes up the mind and soul. Examples of such substances are intelligence, wisdom, and comprehension. In a similar context, Virtues of Character are earned and grown with experience. Such examples of this are values like generosity, temperance, and willpower. It is clear that Virtues of Thought are more innate to a person, while Virtues of Character are gained through life experience. In the preceding paragraphs I will state the virtues obtained and aspired for while attending Texas A&M as an electrical engineer, as well as traits common among

Show More
Related

  • Explaining Aristotle, S Virtue Ethics In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

    1636 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Aristotle 's Nicomachean Ethics, the basic idea of virtue ethics is established. The most important points are that every action and decision that humans make is aimed at achieving the good or as Aristotle 's writes, “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at the good... (Aristotle 1094a). Aristotle further explains that this good aimed for is happiness.

    Read More

  • Kant Vs Aristotle

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Aristotle’s virtue ethics is based on eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is the ultimate end which means that your life is flourishing and you’re doing well in life. Eudaimonia is self-sufficient and gives one the ability to make life choices and have a lack for nothing.

    Read More

  • The State Of Ethics In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

    1249 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics we are given the Greek term Eudaimonia, its definition being a contented sate of being happy, healthy and prosperous. For Aristotle, Eudaimonia or happiness is our ultimate goal. Aristotle states that most people see happiness as something physical and this way of thinking is faulted because we do not have the appropriate image of a good life. He goes on to tell us that our view is faulted because most people are not virtuous. The reason for the deficiency in virtue found in society is that people are not thought virtue correctly from a young age. Aristotle believes that people can only reach their ultimate goal of happiness by living a virtuous life and making the right decisions. The quote given to us states

    Read More

  • Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean

    1010 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...n, remember that there are two types of virtues, moral and intellectual. The moral virtue as it relates to virtue in general must be an excellent making characteristic. That is, someone who is morally virtuous will be able to perform moral duties well. This illustrates how Aristotle is able to bring the notion of arête to apply to moral virtue.

    Read More

  • Six Types Of Character In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

    1079 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many times people believe that they can change as they get older but Aristotle in The Nicomachean Ethics claims this is not true. Aristotle believes that there are six types of character and everyone is in one of those characters and no matter what they do they will always be in that type of character. Aristotle also tells how truth is determined in matters of practical choice.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: Understanding The Good According To Aristotle

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

     In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he discusses the principles of virtue, choices and a desire for an end. In the 5th chapter of book 3, Aristotle gives a possible argument of someone who objects to his beliefs “But someone might argue as follows: ‘All Men seek what appears good to them, but they have no control over how things appear to them; the end appears different to different men” (1114b). Based on the objector’s generalization, he or she believes that all men strive to find the ultimate good, but they don't have the freedom or the wisdom to see things for what they truly are.

    Read More

  • Is Aristotelian Virtue Ethics a Successful Moral Theory?

    1806 Words  | 4 Pages

    Virtue ethics is a moral theory that was first developed by Aristotle. It suggests that humans are able to train their characters to acquire and exhibit particular virtues. As the individual has trained themselves to develop these virtues, in any given situation they are able to know the right thing to do. If everybody in society is able to do the same and develop these virtues, then a perfect community has been reached. In this essay, I shall argue that Aristotelian virtue ethics is an unsuccessful moral theory. Firstly, I shall analyse Aristotelian virtue ethics. I shall then consider various objections to Aristotle’s theory and evaluate his position by examining possible responses to these criticisms. I shall then conclude, showing why Aristotelian virtue ethics is an unpractical and thus an unsuccessful moral theory in reality.

    Read More

  • Virtue and Happiness in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Aristotle: Ethics and the Virtues

    2252 Words  | 5 Pages

    Aristotle begins his ethical account by saying that “every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and every choice, is thought to aim for some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim” (line 1094a1). Though some things might produce higher good than others, Aristotle looks for the highest good, which he says we must “desire for its own sake” and our actions are not decided on some other goal beyond this good itself (line 1094a20-25).[1] This highest good is then realized to be happiness (line 1095a16-20).

    Read More

  • Ethics And Virtue Ethics

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    ​Virtue ethics is a theory about finding our highest good and doing so will develop a vigorous character within each person. Character is important because it shows that a person has certain beliefs and desires in doing the right thing and when the right thing is accomplished, happiness follows (Hartman, 2006). Virtue ethics derives from Aristotle and he concludes that by doing virtuous acts all through life happiness and respectable character will develop (Morrison & Furlong, 2013). Finding the highest good within oneself brings happiness and great character to that individual.

    Read More

  • Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle's Explanation Of Ethical Virtue

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    In spite of the fact that Aristotle was a companion and scholar of Plato, he didn't concur with Plato's speculations on ethical quality. In the same way as other Greeks, Aristotle did not have confidence in the presence of inalienably terrible practices.

    Read More

  • Aristotle's Philosophy on Purpose

    893 Words  | 2 Pages

    Interest is sparked in this area that Aristotle writes of because there is a natural need for Ethics in human life. John K. Roth states, “Aristotle assumes that all things, human beings included, have a good, a purpose or end, which it is their nature to fulfill”. This helps one understand Aristotle’s way of thinking, and provides insight to the basis of his theories. A common theory explored by Aristotle is the Ethics of Virtues, and how to practice them. A theory included in Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics is the unity of all the virtues, and in order to be virtuous, one must exhibit all the virtues. One of these virtues being practical wisdom, or Phronesis.

    Read More

  • Aristotle's Ethics

    577 Words  | 2 Pages

    It was Aristotle’s belief that everything, including humans, had a telos or goal in life. The end result or goal was said to be happiness or “eudaimonia”. He explained that eudaimonia was different for each person, and that each had a different idea of what it meant. Further, he said that people must do things in moderation, but at the same time do enough. The theory, of “the golden mean of moderation” was the basis to Aristotle's idea of the human telos and concluded that living a virtuous life must be the same for all people. Aristotle maintained that the natural human goal to be happy could only be achieved once each individual determined his/her goal. A person’s telos is would usually be what that individual alone can do best. Aristotle described the humans as "rational animals" whose telos was to reason. Accordingly, Aristotle thought that in order for humans to be happy, they would have to be able to reason, and to be governed by reason. If a person had difficulty behaving morally or with ethics, he was thought to be “imperfect”. Moral virtue, a principle of happiness, was the ability to evade extremes in behavior and further to find the mean between it and adequacy. Aristotle’s idea of an ideal state was one where the populous was able to practice eth...

    Read More

  • Aristotle and the Book of Nicomanchean Ethics

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Book I of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that the ultimate human goal or end is happiness. Aristotle describes the steps required for humans to obtain happiness. Aristotle states that activity is an important requirement of happiness. He states that a happy person cannot be inactive. He then goes on to say that living a life of virtue is something pleasurable in itself. The virtuous person takes pleasure in doing virtuous things. The role of virtue is an important one for Aristotle. Without virtue, it seems one cannot obtain happiness. Virtue acts as a linking factor to happiness.

    Read More

  • Virtue Ethics Case Study

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    The three main areas are Eudaimonism which is a moral philosophy that is used to define the right action. According to Eudaimonism, an action which is right is one which leads to the well-being of an individual. It, therefore, holds the well-being as though it has an essential value. .Eudaimonism also bases virtues in the form of human flourishing. It is from here that flourishing is seen as performance involving one 's distinctive function which comes in the best possible way. In humans, Aristotle did put forwards an argument that one of the most distinct function is reasoning. After listening, the life which is lived in a good way is defined as one which the one living has lived to reason well.

    Read More

More about Virtue Ethics And The Characteristics Of Aristotle's Virtue Ethics

Open Document