Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle Claims That the Study of Ethics Must Begin by Must

question 4

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Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle claims that the study of ethics must begin by identifying the chief good for human beings, the end that all of us by nature seek. For Aristotle, this good is happiness. Many people disagree about exactly what happiness involves. Aristotle attempts to give a more precise account of happiness by determining the function of human beings. Just as a good flute player is one who plays the flute well, a good person will be one who fulfills the function of human beings. Aristotle argues that because humans are distinct from other animals insofar as they are rational, the function of human beings must be rational activity. Happiness, then, consists of excellent rational activity over the course of a complete life.
Attaining this sort of happiness requires certain virtues, states of character that involve firmly established dispositions to act, think, and feel in certain ways. Although we cannot precisely specify the nature of each virtue, each consists of a "mean" between extremes-in all areas of our lives, we must avoid excess and deficiency. The virtue of courage, for example, consists of a disposition to neither flee from every battle nor to rashly pursue the enemy at all costs. Aristotle divides the virtues into two classes: moral virtues and intellectual virtues. Whereas the intellectual virtues are acquired by learning and involve the rational part of the soul, the moral virtues come about as a result of habit, and govern our emotions and appetites. Because we can become virtuous only by performing virtuous acts, moral education is of upmost importance on Aristotle's view.
Aristotle spends most of the book discussing the nature of particular virtues, and their role in the good life. In the end he concludes that although any life of virtue is valuable, the best kind of life is one of rational contemplation. Setting up a society in which people can attain this sort of life is therefore of the utmost importance, and is the goal of politics.
-Aristotle argues that we are morally responsible for whether we are virtuous or vicious.

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