Ethics Paper
Ethics Paper
Ethics Paper
Subject: Ethics
Section: B2 Date: April 10, 2018
In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle began with an ethical inquiry for what man fundamentally
desires. With the idea that the universe has a purposive nature, Aristotle espoused on the idea
that everything has a teleological basis wherein everything has a purpose that aims to some good
or end. Aristotle identified happiness as man’s supreme end that gives “purpose” and “direction”
to man’s life.
Thus, Aristotle sought to answer the ethical question “How does one live a good life?”.
This particular question is anchored with the presumption that by nature, man has an essence to
resemble goodness and by this, man does things that are good, and it is through adhering to this
nature that man is able to flourish.
In answering this question, he highlighted that in understanding the happiness of man,
one should take into account the distinctive function of man. As everything has a function, it is
only through fulfilling its function that something can be considered good. As human beings, it is
not the life of nutrition, growth, nor perception that makes man distinctive from other life forms but
rather, it is through the life of reason. Hence, the pursuit of happiness should be viewed through
the lenses of rationality. When a man’s character is shaped in reason and formed through habit,
man is able to achieve the excellence of his character. By the same token, man can live a virtuous
life and eventually a happy life.
In response to the ethical question, Aristotle provided a key concept of the virtue of the
character that is central to the doctrine of the mean. What sets Aristotelian virtue ethics apart from
other ethical frameworks is that it emphasizes on the man’s character rather than following a set
of rules. The doctrine of the mean corresponds to the mean between excess and deficiency. This
presupposes that the right action is the midpoint between two extremes. However, the mean is
not absolute as it does not provide specific parameters to be followed in determining the mean
but rather, the mean is relative to the agent and the circumstance.
In addition, not all actions are subjected to the doctrine of the mean as some actions are
automatically deemed wrong in all plausible situations. Moreover, Aristotle posits that a person
should have an intellectual virtue to be able to consciously and intentionally deliberate over an
action and be a morally virtuous agent that is conscious, consistent, and acts according to one’s
will.
Furthermore, as no one is born with a perfectly moral and virtuous life, the doctrine of the
mean asserts that it is only through habit that one can become perfectly moral and virtuous. Since
morality is a skill that is needed to be harnessed by habit over time.
As a final point, Aristotle asserts that the reason why humans ought to be virtuous is that
it is only through being virtuous that one can attain the pinnacle of humanity - a life that is well
lived where there is human flourishing.
Name: Javier, Mara Jessica DG. Subject: Ethics
Section: B2 Date: April 10, 2018
References:
Aristotle., Ross, W., & Brown, L. (2009). The Nichomachean ethics (Books I, II, X). New York:
Oxford University Press, Inc.
Rand, A. (1964). The Virtue of Selfishness: A new concept of egoism. In Chaffee, J. (2013).
The Philosopher’s Way. USA: Pearson, pp. 457-459.
Santiago, J. (2008). Confucian Ethics in the Analects as Virtue Ethics. Philosophical Ideas And
Artistic Pursuits In The Traditions Of Asia And The West, Paper 8.