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Aristotle and Virtue

            Aristotle emphasis over and over again that a virtuous agent always acts virtuously, whereas a virtuous action does not always necessarily reflect a virtuous agent. What does Aristotle mean by virtue? How can it be attained? Explain in detail what this statement is exactly suggesting. To what extent do you agree what Aristotle is saying? Humans and animals live and share the same planet and share common features even though they are different species. However there is a characteristic that sets humans and animals apart and which is distinctively human which is our ability to reason. .
             As Aristotle explains in Book 1, each and every person is on a search to find Eudaimonia. Everyone has the potential to be Eudaimonic and Aristotle explains that one must actualize his potential to be Eudaimonic by doing virtuous actions. Virtue is the instrument humans use to reach Eudaimonia. A virtue according to Aristotle, is a trait that makes an action of a certain kind good. Each and every action has an end and one does virtuous acts to reach the ultimate end. A virtuous person does virtuous actions effortlessly and doing virtuous actions becomes second nature to them. A virtuous agent always does virtuous actions. They live a life of continuous virtuous actions that involve reason which is a trait which is distinctively human. .
             Without reason behind a virtuous action, the action will not be virtuous because that action will be committed in ignorance. An involuntary action is an act done through ignorance and which is later regretted by the agent. A non-voluntary action is an action done through ignorance which later is not regretted by the agent. Aristotle makes a distinction between an act carried out due to ignorance and an act carried out in ignorance. Actions done through ignorance can never be condoned. For an act to be voluntary once must know who the agent is ,what the agent is doing, what the person is affected, the means being used the result intended and the manner in which the agent acts.


Essays Related to Aristotle and Virtue

1. The Comprehensive Good - Contrasting Beliefs on Virtue

... in accord with complete virtue, we must examine virtue; for that will perhaps be a way to study virtue better"" (Nicomachean Ethics 264). This observation leads Aristotle to analyze virtue as it relates to the soul. According to Aristotle, the soul consists of two parts, the rational and the irrational. Likewise, Aristotle believed that there are two types of virtue, virtue of thought [intellectual virtue] and virtue of character [moral virtue] (Nicomachean Ethics 264). Before ... discussing the two parts of the soul, one must first gain a better understanding of virtue; Book II of the ...

  • Word Count: 2653
  • Approx Pages: 11
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2. Aristotle on Nicomachean and Virtue Ethics

... acts" (Aristotle 139). In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle lays out the idea that all knowledge and every action of man aims at some good, and he claims that the chief good of man is to be happy, and that this good is only achievable through activity of the soul exhibiting excellence; that is being virtuous. And at the heart of Nicomachean Ethics and virtue ethics is the ... who fears nothing and runs head-on into every danger becomes careless or rash, but when the intermediate between the extremes is achieved, he becomes courageous. Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophe...

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3. Aristotle Virtue Ethics

... in their community, while at the same time adding to the greater good of their community. "consider virtue, as this will perhaps be the best way of studying happiness(p. 396)." Virtue and happiness are directly related, for virtues are the way of achieving happiness. Aristotle defines a virtue as moral excellence, or goodness. In order to achieve this excellence the mean between two extremes must ... sought. One extreme can be distinguished as too much, or an excess, and the other as too little, or a deficiency. By these vices and virtues are we judged, Aristotle says. In most cases, one...

  • Word Count: 461
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

... of a job well done. Arete is excellence in fulfilling a function, also known as an ergon. Aristotle finds arete, or a virtue in all objects, animate and inanimate. Aristotle explains his view of the "chief good- throughout the Doctrine of the Mean, through the comparing and contrasting of virtues and vices. Aristotle begins Nicomachean Ethics with an explanation of the "chief good."" This good is presented by him ... will have an end result in making the soul happy. Aristotle's view in the Doctrine of the Mean on human virtue is split into two parts; intellectual and moral virtue. Intell...

  • Word Count: 1190
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5. Why A Boy Is Not Happy According to Aristotle?

... wishes the best desires about them. It can be said that he has a complete virtue which is inactive. At that point, he should give fillip to his virtue and activate it to be happy according to Aristotle. He should go out from the house and make real his desires by communicating with people. In this context, there is no obstacle for boys to have a complete ... by their actions. A complete life is the other reguirement of happiness which means a greater age and experience which comes with age according to Aristotle. It is disputable part of his argument. Complete virtue should be merged wi...

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6. Aristotle Friendship

... each other they see in themselves. They wish well for their friends for their friend's sake. According to Aristotle, these relationships are rare. Aristotle believed that a friend or virtue is another oneself, or soul mates. A friend or virtue is a key part to self-sufficiency. Virtuous friends spend time with each other and make the same choices as each other. Friend A's happiness contributes to friend B's happiness ... disagree. He would say friendships are the way into the world. Kant has a negative view of friendship, whereas Aristotle thinks friendship is good and therefore sought ...

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7. Jesus and Aristotle

... life is different for each individual because it comes from living one's life according to one's virtues, and each person has different virtues. Aristotle agrees that good life is the exhibition of perfect virtue, he disagrees on the particular definition of virtue, and it's relevance to happiness, and therefore disagrees on the means of attaining happiness. He also believes that the good life is achieved through ... the good life, there must be no action which is unnecessary, but for the sake of virtue. Aristotle also sees happiness as part of the good life. To Aristotle happiness is t...

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8. Position Paper - Aristotle

... controls the impulses, so one with greater rationality is able to control his impulses better. The irrational soul has two aspects: a part that deals with nutrition and growth and has little connection with virtue, and the part with governs one's impulses. Aristotle treats happiness as an action and not as a state. Happiness is a way of life, not a specific mood. Happiness is the action of living well ... and possessing all the right virtues. In the article Aristotle states "activity of soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best an...

  • Word Count: 914
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9. Aristotle and the Search for Happiness

... that the ultimate end in life is eudaimonia, or happiness; in order to achieve this goal, one must act in accordance with virtue, the "golden mean" in between excess and deficiency. Aristotle argues that the ultimate goal that we all seek is happiness. He claims that every human activity is a stepping stone towards a goal that human beings consider " ... the soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete." (Aristotle book.1, chapter. 7) In order to act in accordance with virtue and attain happiness, man must achieve th...

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10. Aristotle and Machiavelli - Political Philosophy

... men come to an understanding of what constitutes justice. It is intelligence and virtue fostered through speech that composes the moral language of society. The moral authority that governs Aristotelian thought rests on the notion that man has the natural capability to alter his state of being. Machiavelli initially deviates from Aristotle's argument in "The Prince," when he discusses the harsh reality of ... above-mentioned qualities in fact, but it is indeed necessary to appear to have them" (108). Though Machiavelli disagrees with Aristotle and biblical teachings when he advises prin...

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