Morality Vs. Moral Virtue - 1897 Words

Aristotle claims that moral virtue is a mean between two extremes. The two extremes or vices which he describes as being one of excess and one of deficiency. Moral virtue is considered a mean because virtue aims for the intermediate or balance point in one s passions, their emotions, and actions resulting from these passions. Moral virtue itself has to do with a person deliberately choosing to act and feel appropriately at the right time, on the correct occasions, towards the appropriate people, and for the right reasons. Aristotle claims that the mean and both extremes, excess and deficiency, are all opposed to each other. He goes on to claim that each extreme, vice, is contrary to both the intermediate, the virtue, and the other extreme, while the virtue is simply contrary to both of the extremes and lies between the two vices. In claiming all of this Aristotle asserts that moral virtues are states of character, but that not all states of character are virtues as some states of cha racter are inherently wicked vices and cannot be a virtuous mean. This view of Aristotle’s that moral virtues are means that lie between two extremes, vices, was aimed at being used to help identify which states of character are virtuous. I will explain how Aristotle justifies this view that moral virtues are states of a person’s character, the problems that there may be with this notion of morality, and how would Aristotle deal with such problems. Aristotle justifies this view that moralShow MoreRelatedChild Development Theories1324 Words   |  6 Pagescrisis) is successful, a virtue (or strength) develops. The eight stages include: Basic trust vs. mistrust (birth to 12-18 months); baby develops sense of whether the world is a good and safe; the virtue is hope Autonomy vs. shame (12-18 months- 3 years); child develops balance of independence and self-efficiency over shame and doubt with virtue of will Initiative vs. guilt (3-6 years), child develops initiative without guilt with the virtue being purpose Industry vs. inferiority (6 yearsRead MoreLying to Patients and Ethical Relativism910 Words   |  4 PagesI. Lying to Patients and Ethical Relativism Ethical Relativism and Ethical Subjectivism Ethical Relativism - theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of ones culture. * a culture. i.e.: nobody should ever steal) Objective vs. Subjective (Telling right from wrong) Paternalism vs. Autonomy Paternalism – authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those lower than them Autonomy is a binomial 1) Enlightenment ethics – celebration of the individual’sRead MoreGod Vs. Morality?1113 Words   |  5 PagesKalee M. Ewald Professor Mark Kelley PHIL101 18 October 2015 God vs. Morality While going over the topic I chose, other questions came to mind like: does God exist? What exactly is murder? What does Moral mean? Can morality be based on other standard than the belief in God? With that, can individuals with conflicting religious beliefs resolve a dispute over what morality is? In my assessment I will argue that morality has no specific meaning other than that it is the cultural standard or customRead MoreHU4640 Project Part11650 Words   |  7 PagesTheories Abstract This paper is going to discuss Ethics and Ethical Theories. It will include an introduction to ethical theories, virtue ethics, and care ethics. There will be sections discussing absolutism versus relativism, consequentialism versus deontological ethics, and lastly, free will versus determinism. It will also include a discussion about the study of morality and identify which of the approaches (Scientific, Philosophical, or Theological/Religious) are closest to my own personal beliefsRead MoreThe Moral Dispute Of John Stuart Mill And Immanuel Kant1500 Words   |  6 PagesThesis statement The philosopher Aristotle took the challenge of developing a full-fledged account of virtues that could stand on its own merits rather than simply criticize. He spoke about Eudaimonia meaning happiness of which he defined as the good. â€Å"The good, therefore, has been well defined as that at which all things aim.† His theories for happiness and fulfillment followed a theme of pain and pleasure and the proper function. He raised objections to the normative theories by defining his oppositionRead MoreThe Theories Of Adolescent Development Essay819 Words   |  4 Pages Adolescents go through many different development processes. We are going to talk about my development but first let’s talk about the development theories. The three main theories of adolescent development are Cognitive, Moral, and Identity. The Cognitive Development theory explains the mechanisms and processes by which the child develops into an individual who can reason and think using hypothesis. Children construct an understanding of the world, then experience variations between what they alreadyRead MoreMoral Behavior: Aquinas and Aristotle vs. Kant1356 Words   |  6 PagesMoral Behavior: Aquinas and Aristotle vs. Kant When comparing between the philosophies of St. Thomas Aquinas/Aristotle and those of Immanuel Kant when regarding moral behavior, there are some very fundamental differences. On one hand, you have Kant’s autonomous perspective on behavior morality, in which you give the law to yourself. On the other hand, you have the heteronomy views of Aristotle and Aquinas which concludes that one can measure their conduct against an external force. Kant’sRead MoreEssay on Teaching Morals in Public Schools1128 Words   |  5 Pagesappearance in the character of todays youth. Teaching morals in public school could only result in the betterment of our society. American public schools started walking away from their moral educators about a generation ago, around the 1960s. They feared possibilities of being accused of imposing religion or indoctrinating children, so they left moral instruction to parents and the community, and stuck strictly to academics (Smith). Teaching morals has been misconceived as a violation of the FirstRead MoreEssay on Rousseaus Critique on Natural Man vs. Modern Man899 Words   |  4 PagesRousseaus Critique on Natural Man vs. Modern Man in Second Discourses Rousseau, in the Second Discourses, examines the differences between natural and modern man. As used in his writing, natural man refers to mankind unfettered by social norms, morals, obligations, and duties. Modern man, however, is bound by these factors. Conformity with these factors allows modern man to experience virtue, whereas non-conformity results in vices. In the passage in question, Rousseau explores how naturalRead MoreJoan Eriksons Stages Of Psychosocial Development792 Words   |  4 Pagesan individual does indeed successfully reconcile these forces (favoring the first mentioned attribute in the crisis), he or she emerges from the stage with the corresponding virtue. For example, if an infant enters into the toddler stage (autonomy vs. shame and doubt) with more trust than mistrust, he or she carries the virtue of hope into the remaining life stages. Piagets theory of cognitive development is a comprehensive theory about the nature and development of human intelligence. It was first