Essay on Aristotle - 1142 Words

An ethical issue that is debated in our society is the concern of driving while intoxicated. Although this was naturally not the case during Aristotleamp;#8217;s time, many of his ethical beliefs can be applied to refute this dilemma. I will prove the standing issue to be unethical through Aristotleamp;#8217;s discussion of virtue and his concept of voluntary/involuntary actions in the Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle believed that of the virtues learned in our youth, each has a respective excess and deficiency. The virtue is the mean (or midpoint) of the excess and deficiency. The mean can be thought of as amp;#8220;just right;, and the extremities can be labeled as amp;#8220;vices;. The mean should not be thought of as the geometric†¦show more content†¦amp;#8220;Thus, in one word, states arise out of like activities; (Aristotle 377). This may be the case with a child who is reared in an alcohol abusive family. Say the childamp;#8217;s father frequently drove while intoxicated and the child was lead to believe that this was okay. Although this does not make it ethical, or lawful for that matter, for the child to drive drunk, it simply may have been a reason why. amp;#8220;It makes no small difference, then, whether we form habits of one kind or of another from our very youth; it makes a very great difference, or rather all the difference; (Aristotle 377). Although this may be the reason why in this situation, it does not justify the learned activity; this is the rationale of Aristotle. Aristotle believed that although our actions are the results of our learning, virtue still involves rational choice. He is saying that if we have not been taught what is the moral excellence (the amp;#8220;midpoint; of the two vices), of a particular action or behavior, we still have the ability to attain excellence through choice. If a drunk driver chooses to continue driving drunk (the vice), he will never attain moral excellence. Aristotle believed that practicing virtue leads to a virtuous circle, in which the more you abstain from a vice, the easier it becomes to abstain. Eventually, performing virtuous activities becomes habit. This again can be related to the topic atShow MoreRelatedAristotle And Aristotle On Education1262 Words   |  6 Pages2.2.2 Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) Another great influence on Education was the Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle who came later after Confucius, who was born in Stagira, Chalcidice. Aristotle was first a student in Plato’s philosophy school for around twenty years. Later on he was a philosophy teacher in Atarneus which is located in Asia Minor. Aristotle is known for his school named â€Å"Lyceum† which is located in Athens, and he is also known for teaching Alexander the Great who can later. AccordingRead MoreAristotle s Contributions Of Aristotle931 Words   |  4 PagesBiography of Aristotle Aristotle Headshot Aristotle was born in 384 BC, in Stagira, near Macedonia at the northern end of the Aegean Sea. His father, Nicomachus, was the family physician of King Amyntas of Macedonia. It is believed that Aristotle s ancestors had been the physicians of the Macedonian royal family for several generations. Having come from a long line of physicians, Aristotle received training and education that inclined his mind toward the study of natural phenomena. This educationRead MoreAristotle Of Aristotle : Nicomachean Ethics1487 Words   |  6 PagesAristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Happiness: it’s something we humans search far and wide for, to attain before we are called home at death. We go through our daily lives, making choices, commitments, changes, decisions. We set goals for ourselves, push ourselves, hurt ourselves, inspire ourselves, lose ourselves, find ourselves†¦but why? Whether it is a conscious effort or not, no matter who you are or where you find yourself at this very moment, there is one ultimately satisfying hope that brings usRead MoreAristotle s Theories Of Aristotle729 Words   |  3 PagesAristotle’s Theories Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher. He was born in 384 B.C in Stagira, Northern Greece. At an early age he went to study at Plato’s Academy. Aristotle was the student of Plato. However, Aristotle’s scientific approach was much different than Plato’s. Aristotle was known as teacher to famous Alexander the Great. Later on Aristotle opened his own school, the Lyceum at Athens. Aristotle is an important image because he is the father of Science. Aristotle had many contributionsRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Aristotle1629 Words   |  7 PagesAristotle Exam Similar to the teachings of his mentor, Plato, Aristotle’s philosophy finds its answers to major questions from the perspective of the teleological worldview. In the very first sentence of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle introduces his teleological world view by asserting that every activity is aimed at a telos, or end, and how men move from potency to act. Aristotle then proceeds to outline his argument using the Teleological approach as he tries to answer the question: â€Å"what isRead MoreAristotle And Aristotle s Philosophy1782 Words   |  8 PagesBoth Plato and Aristotle were prominent philosophers during their time and even today remain some of the most well-known philosophers ever. Aristotle was a student of Plato’s and Plato’s influence was noticeable throughout Aristotle’s work. Though Aristotle believed and would later teach a lot of Platonic philosophy, that did not mean that he agreed with everything that Plato taught. One thing that Ari stotle would critique about Plato’s teaching was his idea of what he called â€Å"Forms† and their roleRead More Aristotle Essay777 Words   |  4 PagesAristotle Aristotle was born in 384 BC, at Stagira, in Macedonia, the son of a physician to the royal court. At the age of 17, he went to Athens to study at Platos Academy. He remained there for about 20 years, as a student and then as a teacher. When Plato died in 347BC, Aristotle moved to Assos, a city in Asia Minor, to counsel Hermias, the ruler. After Hermias was captured and executed by the Persians in 345BC, Aristotle went to Pella, the Macedonian capital, where he became the tutorRead More Aristotle Essay568 Words   |  3 Pages Aristotle (384 BC -322 BC) was a Greek philosopher, logician, and scientist. Along with his teacher Plato (author of The Republic), Aristotle is generally regarded as one of the most influential ancient thinkers in a number of philosophical fields, including political theory. Aristotle’s’ writing reflects his time, background, and beliefs. Aristotle was born in Stagira, Macedonia. His father, Nichomacus, was the personal physician to the King of Macedonia, Amyntas. At the age of seventeen, AristotleRead More Aristotle Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesAristotle   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In our fast paced technologically advanced society today, our governments have evolved into supposedly well oiled machines effectively managing budgets, jails, militaries, as well as many other programs. Unfortunately, many of these governments are not as well organized, as they could be. Democratic countries like France, Germany, and even the United States have some very serious shortcomings to the way their governments are managed. These problems occur, many times at a very basicRead MoreAristotle Essay1238 Words   |  5 PagesAristotle The primary concern of political theorists is to determine by what form of constitution the state will most likely succeed. According to Aristotle the definition of political success means the general happiness of the citizenry. Both Aristotle and James Q. Wilson share the belief that molding excellent character within the citizenry is the first and most important step towards solidifying the happiness of the state as a whole. The basic structure of Aristotle’s philosophies