Ethical theory is different from theoretical sciences. This is an argument by Aristotle. The methodology of this theory is meant to match good action. It should also respect the fact that generalizations hold the most part. The main reason for studying ethics is to improve the life of the individual. The central thing in a well-lived life is virtues. According to Plato ethical virtues are emotional, social skills complex rational. Plato’s account of the form of good is static. By this, he argues that one must acquire the knowledge of the definition of goodness. Knowledge can only be acquired through training. Aristotle is against Plato’s idea of training. The only requirement to live a good life is proper appreciation. Aristotle maps out the steady disposition of character, cultivation of virtue and intentional pursuit of the highest good by making some claims.
The first claim is that every pursuit and action aims at some good. First, it is good to measure what we say the aims of political science are. Based on the measurement lets come up with what is the highest of what has been achieved through action. The main thing that has been achieved is happiness and the ability to identify living a good life and doing well in life. A virtuous person may be determined through the observation of their actions. These actions are categorized into three. They can be involuntary, voluntary and non-voluntary. If the person has control over the action taking place, then that is voluntary. In a case where it is performed because it is compulsory then it is involuntary. In a case where one is not aware of an action they have done then it is non-voluntary. If a person portrays ignorance in their behavior, Aristotle calls him/her a bad person. He says that w person of good character will always do good. The person will make decisions that aim for the good. For instance, we find that most wealthy people made a good choice. It led them to take action towards some good. A wise person should make a wise decision which will lead to their success. For instance, a person may not have a house. The decision to start working and saving to buy the house is wise. It will lead to the individual’s achievement of owning a house.
The second claim is virtuous character stays to the mean between extremes. He says that possessing intelligence and habits means that the person is virtuous. These habits should be in between the vices. He defines the vice as having excess or inadequate characters. The habits of an individual should be able to cover the mean. In his Nicomachean Ethics, he describes the following virtuous characteristics. The first characteristic is courage. This is where an individual can overcome fear. Temperance is the other characteristic. It refers to physical pressure. For physical pleasure to be virtuous, it should not go beyond the limit. The other characteristic is Liberality. It relates to the issues of money usage. Money should not be used extravagantly. Magnificence is another characteristic that is related to liberty. Magnanimity, amiability, truthfulness, and wit are the other characteristics that are discussed. A wise person may use this claim to develop themselves. They can be able to move from poverty to wealth. Reason being, with virtuous characteristics they can control themselves in sensitive situations like when it comes to spending their finances. They may mostly focus on important matters. For instance, instead of purchasing a two million screen, they can buy a one hundred thousand screen house which will provide similar comfort.
The third claim is that deliberation is not of means but ends. This means that the end of something is what matters than the means of calculating. The means may not be ethical but what matters most is the results. To a wise person, they should mostly focus on the ends. The means assist in achieving the ends. What they should deliberate about is the ends, not the means.
The fourth claim is that the pursuit of the end has been made an uphill climb. He gives this illustration using a squirrel. He says that squirrels lead a perfect life. They can gather foods which they survive on. They can run from their enemies. This shows that there is complexity in everything that is attained. One ought to work hard. To be able to run away from predators who will cut short their destiny. A wise person may use this claim to ensure that they stand firm in spite of any challenge that comes on their way.
Based on the abstract general truths, virtues refer to the character traits, attitudes, and temperaments which assist an individual in taking actions that help them grow. They assist in the persuasion of ideas that have been Adopted. Virtues are habits that one possess which then develop into characteristics in an individual. An example is a generous person. The person may have started the habit to give out what he has to the needy. This may have contributed to the personal character. The habit of the individual turns out to be a character. Characters are not developed in a lonely place. The community contributes a lot to the personal character. These features are related to Aristotle’s account of ethics in the definition of virtue. They are also related in that a person is virtuous if they take the right actions they will achieve their goals.
Plato has a more black and white view of good and evil, whereas Aristotle believes in the changing nature of good and evil and believes that virtue can be cultivated. In history, it is known that Plato was Aristotle’s mentor, but in the theories, Aristotle’s explanations of good and evil were more dynamic and thus more acceptable. According to Plato, there are four cardinal virtues of human excellence; fortitude, temperance, prudence, and justice. They are useful as the key to greater happiness.
The advantage of Aristotle’s dynamic view is that it gives a human being the chance and the
opportunity to change their behavior. Aristotle explains that virtue manifests itself in action. A
person can be evil, but through the cultivation of virtue they can change and be good. In Plato’s
defense, there is a multitude of people who do not change in any way and cannot change.
These people include psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists, but everyone should at least be given
the benefit of a doubt.
Aristotle shows that he has a better understanding of the human spirit and heart. He describes the character as the stable equilibrium of the soul. He says that to achieve good character, a
person should clear away all the obstacles standing in the way of the full efficacy of the soul. This in short means that a person of good character has the right judgment of things and situations and chooses right over wrong. This person can make good decisions, and this is considered beautiful, according to Aristotle. For Aristotle, human beings flourish when the people live peacefully, work and prosper and pass on wisdom to the next generation.
Another advantage of Aristotle’s theory is that he sees ethics as the business of defining human nature and from that definition deriving laws, principles of behavior which either prevent or support the flourishing of humans. This means that when a human being is allowed the chance to change, they can cultivate virtue and be of a higher level to derive laws that can help them. It also
means that an evil person is unable to flourish as they do not change and this, in turn, stifles growth.
In conclusion, Aristotle account of ethics is dynamic. He claims that individuals should be given a chance to change. He maps out the steady disposition of character, cultivation of virtue and intentional pursuit of the highest good by making some claims. The claims are as discussed above. His account has a lot of advantages over Plato’s static account. He gives a clear picture of what ethics are. He also describes how a virtuous person should live.