Plato and Aristotle Ethical Views

The views of ethics vary greatly when talking about Plato and Aristotle. Aristotle has his own views even though such an influential man like Plato taught him. Plato and Aristotle try to deliver this universal system of ethical principals that will determine good and bad. Through doing so they realizes their differences in what they believe. Plato and Aristotle can both agree that good is happiness and in order to continue the good you must exercise self-fulfillment through integrity. Plato believes virtue comes from the soul and individuals will strive to acquire excellence in order to attain happiness. Aristotle thinks virtue is the potential excellence the individual already has in his or her soul. Ancient Greeks have said that excellence and innate ability comes from the soul, which are god given abilities. Something which we are born with which goes back to saying that happiness, being ethical and virtuous is something that we are born with. As Aristotle says it comes from the outside, which gives us the potential to be ethical and virtuous people. But in order to enjoy life you must find your soul and it will give you the innate potential. The idea of choice is something Aristotle really focuses on rather then Plato. Aristotle states with right choices you will get freedom and freedom is gained through self-determination. Aristotle says choice is something you do freely and whatever choices you make will follow you in the future. Thus, making you responsible for all the actions you take during life. Virtues are thought to be voluntary because each person has the power to choose the decisions they make whether they are just or unjust. Aristotle claims that in order to be a good person you can’t just do one just act you have to live a life of just acts. On the other hand Plato thinks if you do just acts sometimes they make you a just person. In Book III Aristotle questions voluntary actions because people are still in control of themselves and no matter