Research Proposal on "Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics"

Research Proposal 4 pages (1196 words) Sources: 0 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is the philosopher's treatise on virtue ethics, teleological ethics, and human happiness. The Greek philosopher presents virtue as an essential component of good character: as a state of mind and a state of being. Virtue inspires individuals to act righteously, to treat others well, and to follow moral and ethical codes. However, Aristotle does not offer a deontological ethical code that assumes universal behavioral standards of right or wrong. The Nicomachean Ethics encourage flexible ethical decision-making based on the context of an event. Aristotle therefore places a large degree of confidence in the human actor, noting that from virtue and good character stem ethical actions. Acting ethically and virtually in turn lead to happiness. Happiness, according to Aristotle, is the ultimate aim of human life. The Nicomachean Ethis is composed of ten books. Aristotle stresses the concepts that virtue is the foundation of ethical behavior, and that ethical behavior is essential for achieving the goal of happiness.

Although Aristotle does not proscribe behavior, the philosopher does outline the core elements of virtue. As the foundation of ethical behavior, virtue is that which inspires the individual to act in a righteous fashion. Aristotle emphasizes free will and the power of the individual to make ethical decisions. In Book One, Aristotle underscores the importance of taking action and of employing free will in the pursuit of happiness. The philosopher claims that virtue alone is insufficient for morality. A virtuous character is full of potential: the potential to act and to choose actions that result in happiness. A virtuous character that does not act is not necessarily ethical. Actions are what determine ethics. In this sense, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics form the foundation of utilitarianism. Happiness is the end that justifies the means. Happiness is the goal of every action, the ultimate goal of all decisions. Every ethical dilemma can be settled by determining whether the act brings pleasure or pain to all individuals involved. Therefore, Aristotle's most prominent messages that demonstrated his belief in man's potential to be good include the following. First, a character steeped in virtue is one most capable of acting ethically. Second, each human being is endowed with free will and the opportunity to choose an ethical or virtuous action over an unethical or sinful one. Third, all human beings desire happiness, and happiness stems from virtuous action.

In Chapter 12 of Book One, Aristotle distinguishes between justice and happiness as well as between virtue and happiness. The whole of Book One seems to be devoted to Aristotle's thesis that happiness is the end goal toward which all rational beings reach. In Chapter 12 of Book One, Aristotle claims that happiness is prized as if it were a divine state. Happiness is always considered the ultimate objective of human behavior and of human life. An individual can be the best runner in his city-state and the most he can hope to receive or to achieve is praise and admiration. Happiness may still elude him no matter how strong his legs are or how hard he trains. Similarly, virtue is not synonymous with happiness. Virtue can help an individual create happiness, as Aristotle explains throughout the Nicomachean Ethics. Until the individual puts into practice the core principles of character virtues and intellectual virtues, though, he or she may not experience happiness. By distinguishing happiness from both virtue and justice toward the beginning of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle helps his readers understand the meaning of virtue. Happiness is a transcendent state, one that is more sublime than virtue or justice.

Virtue, according to Aristotle, is the… READ MORE

How to Reference "Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics" Research Proposal in a Bibliography

Related Research Proposals:

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics Term Paper

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is one of the classical and most cited philosophical works treating of morality. In the second book of the Ethics, Aristotle defines the relation between character and… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (2143 words) Sources: 2 Style: MLA Topic: Ethics / Morality

---

Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle's Own Work Term Paper

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

The concept of ethics can mean many different things, depending on the person asked to describe or discuss it. However, there are specific issues that can be… read more

Term Paper 8 pages (2812 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Ethics / Morality

---

Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Research Proposal

Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics

Life represents the pursuit of happiness. One of the most significant minds within Western philosophy, Aristotle believed that Happiness is an ultimate end, meaning that we do… read more

Research Proposal 3 pages (882 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

Aristotle's Ethics Essay

Aristotle and Relationships at Work

Work in the 21st Century

For centuries, work defined what it meant to be human. We see this again and again, even in television and… read more

Essay 7 pages (2257 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Ethics / Morality

---

Aristotle to Answer Essay

Aristotle

To answer the question of "what does Aristotle understand by ethics and how important is his view of humanity to ethics," let us first consider some definitions and concepts… read more

Essay 7 pages (2427 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Ethics / Morality

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>