Paper 4: Intro To Ethics Phil 2306 Crn 14270 Directions For

Paper 4 Intro To Ethics Phil 2306 Crn 14270directions For Submissio

Write a 650 to 850-word response addressing Aristotle's response to a criticism of his ethics as discussed in Book 2, Chapter 4, of the Nicomachean Ethics. Explain what the argument against Aristotle's ethics is and detail how Aristotle answers this criticism.

Paper For Above instruction

Aristotle's ethical philosophy, as articulated in the Nicomachean Ethics, has been a foundational influence in Western moral thought. In Book 2, Chapter 4, Aristotle confronts a particular criticism directed at his conception of virtue and moral development. The argument in question essentially challenges the idea that virtues are innate or that moral character can be fully mastered through formal reasoning alone. Critics argue that virtues are not simply a matter of intellectual understanding but involve emotional and physiological dispositions that cannot be wholly acquired through rational processes or deliberate effort. This skepticism raises doubts about whether individuals can truly cultivate virtue or if virtue depends on factors beyond rational control. Aristotle responds to this criticism by elaborating on the nature of virtue as a state that involves both the rational and the non-rational parts of the soul. He emphasizes that virtues are not innate but are developed through habituation, which involves voluntary actions and the cultivation of good habits over time. Aristotle further clarifies that virtue is a mean between excess and deficiency, and this moderation is achieved through practice and moral education rather than innate qualities. He acknowledges that emotions and passions play a role in virtuous action but asserts that virtues involve the right responses to these feelings, which are shaped through repeated practice. Thus, Aristotle's answer to the criticism is that virtue is a learned disposition that requires active engagement and continuous effort, rather than something purely based on innate qualities or intellectual knowledge alone. This process of habituation aligns with his belief that moral virtues are cultivated through a life of deliberate activity aimed at achieving the mean, leading to a flourishing human life. By framing virtue as a product of deliberate practice, Aristotle counters the claim that moral excellence cannot be fully attained through rational instruction alone, emphasizing the importance of moral education and consistent effort.

References

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