Another key theme in virtue ethics is moral understanding. ... The last key theme in virtue ethics is moral education. ... He describes that intellectual virtue is born from and grown by teaching, whereas moral virtue comes to us a result of habit, that we get the virtues by first exercising them. ... In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle lays out the idea that all knowledge and every action of man aims at some good, and he claims that the chief good of man is to be happy, and that this good is only achievable through activity of the soul exhibiting excellence; that is being virtu...

• Word Count: 1642
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Throughout his article "Virtue Ethics", he concentrates upon the concepts of virtue and happiness. "happiness is an activity of soul in accordance with perfect virtue(p. 394)." Both virtue and happiness are related to one another, for happiness is achieved through virtues. ... Virtue and happiness are directly related, for virtues are the way of achieving happiness. ... He supported the argument "happiness is an activity of soul in accordance with perfect virtue(p. 394)." throughout the article. ...

• Word Count: 461
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle considers ends to be either activities or the products that come from activities. ... Aristotle attaches a function that is unique to human beings: rational activity and that is also the soul's activity based on the premise that human's function is the activity of the soul. When actions are completed well, virtues are expressed accordingly through the soul's activity. Therefore, the highest good, happiness, "turns out to be an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete.... Ac...

• Word Count: 972
• Approx Pages: 4

This is seen throughout The Republic especially when speaking of the soul. He gives three parts to the soul: calculating, spirited, and desiring. ... In both the soul and city, Plato uses justice as the right ordering of the other parts and virtues, unifying them. To further show his emphasis on wisdom and the relationship between the virtues, he says "Isn't it proper for the calculating part to rule, since it is wise and has forethought about all of the soul" (Plato 441E). ... This furthers his point that someone that does not act can not have the activity that is happiness. ...

• Word Count: 1238
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

Moral virtues are developed by force of habit. Moral virtues are not naturally instilled in us; the soul is designed to receive moral virtues, but in order to develop into guiding forces they must be nurtured by habit. The soul acquires moral virtue by exercising it, just as the pianist learns to play the piano by playing it and not by thinking about it. Virtuous activity breeds virtuous character. ... We may speak of the feelings, faculties, or dispositions of the soul. ...

• Word Count: 596
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The soul can be divided into a rational and irrational part. The rational part of the soul controls the impulses, so one with greater rationality is able to control his impulses better. The irrational soul has two aspects: a part that deals with nutrition and growth and has little connection with virtue, and the part with governs one's impulses. ... In the article Aristotle states "activity of soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete" (Aristotle, 4). ... He believes that, "happiness is an activity o...

• Word Count: 914
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

To reach eudaimonia, one must not only be embodied with virtue, but also act upon it. Aristotle said, "for the state of mind may exist without producing any good result, as in a man who is asleep or in some other way quite inactive, but the activity cannot; for one who has the activity will of necessity be acting, and acting well.... If he did so, Aristotle believed that the regulations would only mirror those of a classroom, in which he was convinced that virtue could not be learned. Instead, virtue had to be acquired through habits. ... This longing for mine was not contained like he...

• Word Count: 763
• Approx Pages: 3

He says, "The happy person is one who expresses complete virtue in his activities, with an adequate supply of external goods, not just for any time but for a complete life." ... One way it can be achieved is through virtues. ... Intellectual virtues are formed through teaching and instruction; where as moral virtues are created through habit. ... Augustine also says, "Every rational soul is made unhappy by its sins or happy by its well-doing. ... A virtue is conformity to a standard of right. ...

• Word Count: 965
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School