Aristotle on Ethics

Aristotle 's Ethics

The subject of ethics has been discussed innumerable times throughout the history of civilization . This is because without ethics there is no moral . Without moral then the potential for civilization collapsing is quite possible . Such notions were pondered by Aristotle in his seminal work THE NICOMACHEAN ETHICS which presented the groundwork for all discussions of ethical thought and behavior . Obviously Aristotle 's work must possess some great value or else it would have been dismissed centuries ago . Instead , it is still the proverbial "bible " for studying ethical behavior p

One of the hallmarks of Aristotle 's work is the notion that people are rooted in action . This is because action defines the person . For example , if one is a physician then the "acts " of a physician speak volumes about the person 's education level , commitment to learning , etc However , a physician - like anyone else who works in a profession or trade - can be either a technocrat or a fully realized human being Defining which end of the spectrum the person leans will be based on his ethical approach to life . That is , if the person is merely concerned with performing the duties of action to get the job done then the person is being more of a stoic technocrat . Aristotle rightly argues that such people are few and far between . In reality , most people fall into the spectrum of ethical action . That is , they perform their services with the intent on helping people . This displays and ethical action that personifies who the person truly is . Character is , after all , defined by action . If the action is noble and good then the person displays solid ethics

Aristotle 's Ethics - Page 2

Such actions can be tied into Aristotle 's concept of eudemonia : the desire of things for their own sake . That is , people commit to certain actions because it provides them with a certain pleasure . But , in for this pleasure to be valuable the action spawning the pleasure must possess certain virtues . That is , any aberrant behavior that brings pleasure is self defeating to the core

For example , a thief who steals in to have enough money to live a happy life is living on borrowed time . This would be an unethical practice that has the ripple effect of arrest and punishment Ultimately , staling to improve one 's lot in life leads to disaster . This is the main problem with unethical behavior : it is self defeating and potentially hazardous . As such , unethical behavior is of little value It is difficult to disagree with such an assessment

Conversely , the physician who heals can take solace in the fact that his actions have a positive effect on people . The physician is improving the quality of life of individuals and this in and of itself is a positive action . As such , it brings about positive benefits to the individuals and to society as a whole . Like other forms of ethical and virtuous behavior the end results are positive...