An Annotated Bibliography on Aristotle's Nature of Ethics

This annotated bibliography focuses on Aristotle's perspective on the nature of ethics, primarily drawing from his Nicomachean Ethics. It highlights the significance of habit in conduct and the concept of virtue as a mean between extremes. The bibliography includes references that discuss Aristotle's view of ethics as a theoretical study aimed at achieving goodness and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of habituation and conscious choice in developing a virtuous character, leading to practical wisdom (phronesis) and intellectual understanding (nous). The included references also compare Aristotle's ethical theory with those of other philosophers, such as Mill and Kant, and explore its relevance to contemporary discussions on moral thinking and human flourishing. The document makes reference to the website Desklib, where similar assignments can be found.

Running Head: Philosophy
Philosophy
Aristotle on Nature of Ethics

1
Philosophy
Out of many studies done by Aristotle, the most significant study is on the Nicomachean ethics
which is the study of personal morality and the ends of life of humans. These were written
approximately 2000 years ago but still they provide many valuable insights to the needs of the
humans. These ethics focuses on the role of habit in conduct. It is thought that virtues can be
taken as habits and a good life is a life of mindless routine. Aristotle took or perceived ethics as
the theoretical study i.e. one always aims to become good and always tries to do well.
The word hexis is used by Aristotle in order to denote the moral virtue. The virtue is evident in
the action. The concept of the mean by Aristotle is usually misunderstood. The primary text
Nicomachean ethics, Aristotle repeatedly claims that virtue is mean. This mean is always the
state of clearing up and anxiety in the mid of pleasures and the excruciation which allows people
to judge what is pleasant and what is painful. This state of soul which is considered to be active
state, in this state the power of the soul is always at work in concert. In order to achieve good
character is a procedure of clearing away the issues and problems which stand in the path of the
full worth of the soul (Kucukuysal & Beyhan, 2011).
Aristotle’s work taught that in order to achieve a virtuous and probably happy spirit, it will
require the first stage of having the luck to be habituated not intentionally but with the help of the
teachers and some good experiences (Kakkori & Huttunen, 2007). This leads to the later stage in
which a person very consciously chooses to do best things. When the people will start living
their life in this way, their phronesis i.e. wisdom which is practical and their nous i.e. intellect
can easily develop and grow with each other and everyone to the highest possible human virtue,
the wisdom of the talented tentative thinker or as a philosopher (Oskvig, 2013).
Hughes’s research and claims are also almost the same as the Aristotle’s ethical theory. Hughes
uses the term catch all grates. Hughes claims that Aristotle’s argument have some patterns which
are recognizable which are related to moral thinking and it is in contrast to Mill’s and Kant’s
theories. Yet Aristotle’s project is for the development of the thoughts of humans as to how they
lead their lives. For leading a good life the primary goal of a person should be a philosopher’s
treatment of ethics. While discussing the phronesis, Hugh says this informs the human as to what
is to be done in view of living one’s life as complete and this use is something that comes closer
to the use of morals. Hence, this concludes that Hughes had something more and something less
about the theory of ethics by Aristotle (King, 2002).

2
Philosophy
In the end discussion, Hughes argues that Aristotle could be seen as a representative of the major
conventional of western thought.

3
Philosophy
References
Kakkori, L. & Huttunen, R., 2007. Aristotle and Pedagogical Ethics. Paideusi, 16, pp.17-28.
King, R.A.H., 2002. G. J. Hughes: Aristotle on Ethics. The Classical Review, 52(2), pp.372-73.
Kucukuysal, B. & Beyhan, E., 2011. Virtue ethics in Aristotle’s Nicomachean ethics.
International Journal of Human Sciences, 8(2).
Oskvig, K., 2013. Harder, Faster, Stronger – Better: Aristotle’s Ethics and Physical Human
Enhancement. journal of Evolution and Technology, 23(1), pp.19-30.