Finding Virtue In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
The idea of what is the good and the elements involved in the good are virtue, happiness, and justice is argued in “Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics”. Aristotle believes that virtue is key in finding what the good is. According to Aristotle virtue is an element that is needed in understanding what the good is. In this essay I will argue how within “Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics” the topic of virtue is key to finding the overall good.
The idea of finding the true definition of what the good is is what Aristotle is questioning. The first answer that one can see is good is the thing that all things aim at. Aristotle believed that people needed to live to their highest potential. In order to find the good, it needed to start with human activity. Apart of finding the good Aristotle started by discussing the good, question why were capable of being good, what is the good, and finally what would society look like if all …show more content…
To be virtuous with habit one needs to do virtuous things. Virtue is acting in accordance with the right things. The balance between excess and defect, which is a thinking process, is a key factor within virtue. Virtue is the balance between the two. Excess is having too much of something and not knowing when enough is until it is too late. Defect is not having enough and not knowing that until it is too late. Doing the virtuous thing is the balance between both and doing the good that comes with virtue. Virtue is an active condition because one chooses what to do when being virtuous. “We may remark, then, that every virtue or excellence both brings into good condition the thing of which it is the excellence and makes the work of that thing be done well;” (Ross). Having the ability to choose what to do, one must understand what they are doing. Choice is proper to virtue which enables people to think for themselves and do what they think is the
The idea of finding the true definition of what the good is is what Aristotle is questioning. The first answer that one can see is good is the thing that all things aim at. Aristotle believed that people needed to live to their highest potential. In order to find the good, it needed to start with human activity. Apart of finding the good Aristotle started by discussing the good, question why were capable of being good, what is the good, and finally what would society look like if all …show more content…
To be virtuous with habit one needs to do virtuous things. Virtue is acting in accordance with the right things. The balance between excess and defect, which is a thinking process, is a key factor within virtue. Virtue is the balance between the two. Excess is having too much of something and not knowing when enough is until it is too late. Defect is not having enough and not knowing that until it is too late. Doing the virtuous thing is the balance between both and doing the good that comes with virtue. Virtue is an active condition because one chooses what to do when being virtuous. “We may remark, then, that every virtue or excellence both brings into good condition the thing of which it is the excellence and makes the work of that thing be done well;” (Ross). Having the ability to choose what to do, one must understand what they are doing. Choice is proper to virtue which enables people to think for themselves and do what they think is the