Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle and Contemporary Ethical Issues

In his book of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle writes “Happiness then, is found to be something perfect and self sufficient, being the end to which our actions are directed”. Based on that statement, as a result, one might perceive that all human actions are directed towards one goal of ‘supreme Good’ and ultimate happiness. While most agree that the ‘supreme Good’ is what one achieves by happiness, the definition and constitution of this happiness remains a debate. At the same time, the study of this ‘supreme Good’ can clearly be seen as a political science, as the role of politics is the creation and protection of the highest possible means of human life. Then, it becomes evident that whatever one

Following extensive scientific research during 1930s and 1940s, the use of anabolic steroids has gone ubiquitous among Olympic and private athletes by late the 1960s. Such substances do not only increase the athletic potential of the human body, but also provide an advantage over competitors that some call ‘unfair’. While the use of anabolic steroids could oppose some of Aristotle’s virtuous views of moral standard, it can also definitely be considered a component used en route to the highest good of

What most consider the primary reason against the use of these steroids is the ‘unfair advantage’ created by users, which is regularly referred to as ‘cheating’. A few years ago, Lance Armstrong was dispossessed of every single one of his Tour de France achievements, with the claim that he was cheating. Nicomachean Ethics could be viwed to disagree with this penalty on the grounds of Armstrong’s action simply being a part of the pursuit towards ‘supreme Good’. However, as the Union Cycliste Internationale labeled other competitors as also being “under a cloud of suspicion”, the titles taken from Armstrong weren’t granted to any other competitor; which presents the question of whom exactly Armstrong cheated against.

As a result, the presence of any substantially moral misbehavior through this act of Armstrong’s can be questioned. Considering that Aristotle describes virtue as the human nature to behave morally towards self and others, Armstrong’s use of steroids has not caused a moral drawback to anybody involved. If anything, Lance Armstrong aimed to achieve a subordinate good by improving his performance, and consequently led to an end of happiness by establishing his series of