Aristotle Virtue Ethics Essay Example for Free

Aristotle Virtue Ethics EssayOne prefatory popular opinion in Aristotelian ethics that occupies a central significance is Aristotles belief in the role of mans activities in order for unrivaled to acquire ethical issueledge. That is, for one to become guiltless or to obtain virtues one should non merely confine himself to mere studying of these virtues but alternatively one should, more importantly, actualize this knowledge of the virtues. Thus, for one to become good, one should do good. Aristotle further stretches his ideas by proposing the doctrine of the mean. The essence of this doctrine dwells on the basic precept that one ought to avoid the extremes and, instead, settle for the mean. The actions of men, more specifically, ought to be framed upon the mean which is the virtue. For example, the virtue of courage rests on the mean between 2 extremes cowardice or the lack of courage, and rashness or the excess in courage. It can substantially be observed that Aristotle suggests that one should live a biography that does not border on the issues that are on the near and the least levels.For example, if I were to follow Aristotles ethics I should always see to it that I should consistently draw myself towards the middle value and avoid slanting towards cowardice and excess. All this could affirm been very well except for one small thing that I cannot seem to fully comprehend. How is it possible for one to ascertain that one is actually taking the middle path? Or how is it possible for one to know that this or that is the middle value or is the virtuous action? Perhaps the key in having an understanding to the notion of the mean is that one should act.That is, as I continually have these ideas as to what I must do when faced with an ethical situation or, at the least, an ordinary situation, I should nonetheless take the persist of action so that I will be able to obtain a qualitative understanding that what I am doing is the excess. On the ear ly(a) hand, I will be having quite a rough time in acquiring the understanding as to whether the action that I am doing is virtuous if all that I do is to theorize and never let my theory be put into practice. Aristotles virtue ethics reminds me of Platos conception of ethics.For the most part of the Republic, Plato attempts to arrive at a conception of a just life by centering on the notion that the just life or that which is good is better than living a life molded on an evil framework and one which prompts individuals to act in an evil manner. At the assault of the Republics Book II, a conception of the idea of justice is advanced as the working of an individual in accordance to the role in which one is best suited as well as the belief for non-interference in the activities of others.In essence, this principle is closely related to Platos perspective on acting in accordance to ones nature or intrinsic being which results to the state or condition of being just or acting justly once the individual acts in line to his very nature. Otherwise, if one begins to act beyond what his nature prescribes, then the individual begins to act in an unjust manner thereby resulting to evil actions (Plato and Kamtekar).While Aristotle insists that one should put into action the thought that one may have so as to have an understanding of the middle value that should be taken, Plato, on the other hand, suggests that one should simply go by with ones nature so as not to be evil. If I were to choose which ethical precept would be better or would fit me best, I would rather be prone to adopt Aristotles virtue ethics over the other because it offers me a chance to actualize myself through my actions and be guided accordingly. Whereas for Plato, what I am seeing is that I should get to know my self first before I act so that I can be good.But this cannot be met easily essentially because I find it quite difficult to know myself if I would not act first. In the light, if all the students in a certain descriptor would build up a virtue like that of Aristotles point of view, the achievement of an environment which is formidably that built on the concept of philosophical and tremendously beneficial notions in life, the attainment of the virtue of virtue is towering in the highest hopesalthough it eventually does not also undermine the concept of realism.Apparently, many may not stick on this kind of perception and ought to think that it is certainly not possible to achieve a life which is way beyond the bounds of a not-so-good life for that instance, but with the maximum height of human rationality, such may be given enough credit for the philosophers who believed in a life where goodness comes in deeds (Lannstrom).Work CitedLannstrom, Anna. Loving the Fine Virtue and Happiness in Aristotles Ethics. Indiana USA University of Notre Dame Press, 2006. Plato, and R. Kamtekar. The Conventional View of Justice Developed. Trans. D. Lee. The Republic. 2 ed Pengui n Classics, 2003. 8-14.