Aristotle's Virtue Ethics
Aristotle’s Virtue ethics is described as an acumen or rather commons sense morality exhibited by a normal human being developed on individual realism. In his works, he ventures into two moral angles , one on the quest on action and the other on the basis of character. In regards to the action inquiring, one is expected to examine the manner in which one should act or ought to. On the basis of character, which Aristotle dwelled on the manner in which a person need to behave. His theory defines ‘good’ as a measure of standard. Simply a level at which everything targets to achieve. He illustrates that virtue being the appropriate role of a being.
He further points out in his works that human virtue entailed proper thinking and performing good deeds. Two kinds of human virtues are also pointed out and they are moral and intellectual virtues. The end products in all these ventures is happiness established from a good personality and diction. I would agree with the works of Aristotle as evidence of good characters would envelope to good habits and hence blossoming of happiness. I also agree with his view on virtue as what brings out a being's character. Individual inquiry when in comes to virtue development in humans as pointed out by Aristotle is also applicable in our lives.
Virtues relating to our intellectual are further explained by him as, the virtues that basically may be adopted from our professions. In this he shows that each profession consists of different of morals pertaining their field of practice. In terms of morals, he describes this as the virtues basically exhibited by all beings in this humans to be precise. The only difference is that they vary in level depending on the individual's ability. As had been indicated earlier, for one to attain full happiness , acquiring the two human virtues in vital.
Aristotle illustrates in his theory how one can achieve happiness. It is rooted from acceptable thoughts that develops to sound or acceptable conduct . He further develops conduct to good diction which brings forth acceptable attributes . From that development then can happiness result. Pertaining good attribute or acceptable character , Aristotle brings out more explanations regarding the constituents of the matter. He points that each person has the natural capability for occurrence of good attributes. From his theory it can be deduced that our interaction with people with different habits plays a major role in building our own. In simple terms Aristotle pointed out that humans need to interact with counterparts of acceptable habits in order to develop the same (Broadie, 1991) ,
I can identify with his theory when he talks about our moral action rooted from the soul. He brings a new insight on virtue development that is, a person needs to have someone to look up to exhibiting acceptable moral standards. He points out that there’s wasn’t a standard of measure in defining a virtuous person. This is so since, different matters need new and different approach in solving them. He simply points out the need to have “practical wisdom.”Which can be defined as ability to identify a mean regarding two extremities in certain settings (Tong & Williams, 2011).
I can also agree with his theory when he talks about appropriate contemplation of life and practical wisdom as held dear to human morals and leads to happiness in its highest level. As one individual is happy as results of his/her acceptable habits it would eventually be transmitted to the society around. This brings forth men and women of exemplary moral standards in the society we live in. Hence this extends to togetherness in the society enhanced by friendship and strong family ties. This is what any society would want for its member.
Each individual in a society is required to be of high moral standards in the account of behavioral performance. There’s no community that would identify themselves with a member whose ethics are wanting. Most of our moral values relate to the qualities exhibited by our religious beliefs. Religion would require each member to be morally upright. In terms of sexual ethics as demanded by the religion, which highly holds its values regarding the sanctity of sexual behavior. The church expects its members especially the married couples to respect the marriage institution by not indulging in infidelity. Generally society calls for , highly principled member when sexual ethics come into play.
On the theory’s plausibility, that is its weakness and strength, possible are deduced. A strong point of view can be considered when the theory majors in helping a person to enhance their addiction. By such developments a person can enhance when they chose to mold desirable decisions in life. This is different from the notion of being given rules to govern one's life. On the weakness note, it can be deduced that proper morals doesn’t guarantee proper decision making . This is can be shown by the occurrence of matters requiring greater analysis. Another possible issue may be kind of character depicted by an individual and the virtues describing their characters.
References
Broadie, S. (1991) , Ethics with Aristotle, Oxford University Press.
Tong, R. & Williams, N. (2011). "Feminist Ethics", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy , Edward N. Zeta (Ed.),
