Analysis of Aristotle's Ethical Theory: Philosophy 100 Assignment

This essay, written for a Philosophy 100 course, critically examines Aristotle's ethical theory, specifically focusing on its practical guidance for human conduct. The author agrees with the claim that Aristotle's virtue ethics, while emphasizing virtues, fails to provide clear and concrete guidance for ethical decision-making in various moral dilemmas. The essay supports this position by arguing that the theory's agent-centered and culturally relative nature does not offer a universal framework for actions. The author references several scholarly sources to support the arguments, concluding that Aristotle's ethical framework lacks the necessary elements for practical application, particularly when facing complex ethical situations, and ultimately, does not sufficiently provide guidance to humankind. The essay also discusses the importance of acquiring habits and skills which will enable human being to put their general understanding of thorough will be practice in the ways which is suitable for each and every occasion.

Running head:SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Aristotle’s ethics has been criticized for not giving a sufficient guidance in terms of what
we should do when it comes to conducting ourselves in the world for all kinds of reasons.
This assignment will explain the disagreement or the agreement with the claim of
Aristotle’s theory regarding its explanation to the humankind towards adequate concrete
guidance of ethics. The thesis statement of this essay argues that, even though the ethical theory
suggested by Aristotle is distinct from other theoretical sciences and take the virtues to be
Central towards a well living life of humankind, the theory of virtue ethics by Aristotle is useless
and does not give clear guidance of philosophy and ethical decision to humankind for all kind of
reasons (Polansky 12).
It is to note that the context of ethics is studied to improve the living of humankind and
hence the principal concern is the nature of the wellbeing of human. Aristotle follows the breach
of Plato and Socrates regarding the concept of virtue and understanding of goodness. According
to the ethical theory by Aristotle, human need proper appreciation of way like pleasure, good
friendship, honor, wealth and virtue as a whole. For application of the general understandability,
it is essential to acquire proper habits, un- bringing as well as the ability to see the best actions
that are supported by enough reasons (Crisp). Aristotle’s view regarding the ethical theories as
well as practical wisdom cannot be acquired specifically by the general learning of the rules. For
the achievement of understanding of his theoretical sciences in the field of ethical theory, is
important to acquire emotional, deliberative as well as social skills which will enable human
being to put their general understanding of thorough will be practice in the ways which is
suitable for each and every occasion (Henry, Devin and Karen 11). Thus, it can be stated that
regarding the above court of criticism against Aristotle ethics, I personally agree with the claim

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that his theory and theoretical discussion does not give us adequate and complete ethical
guidance.
In support to my statement of agreeing with the above, some of the arguments in support
of my position are as follows. According to Phelan, virtue ethics as suggested by Aristotle
provides guidance to the sort of behavior and characteristics which a good individual will say for
achievement. This includes the qualities and the virtues which makes a person good in the eye of
the Indus society. However, the theoretical underpinning stated by Aristotle does not provide any
guiding action or clear path regarding how to act or behave in case of moral dilemmas (Vasiliou
42).
There lies no agreement regarding the suggestion made by the virtues as well as the
ethical theories by Aristotle is not useful since it does not provide any guidance which we are
supposed to, regarding the benefit of human beings. The intelligent virtual my differ from time
as well as cultures and societies. Nevertheless, ethical theories by Aristotle on virtue ethics
which are common for all human being does not provide any clear direction regarding what
actions human should take in case of moral dilemma (Vaughn 21). Since each and every
individual is different in this entire world and if their actions needs to be sought from the point of
view of ethical theory by Aristotle, then it can be stated that anyone could do what they actually
want while appearing to make them a virtuous person that is being courageous all might be
having magnification. To summaries, ethical theories by Aristotle and virtue ethics answer
concept is not culturally relative as well as agent centered and hence it does not have any
explanation for connection with guiding actions of decision-making process of an individual.
This essay thus clearly illustrates to agree regarding the statement that the ethics and
ethical theories by Aristotle does not provide any guidance regarding what human should do in

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all sort of reason. Aristotle ethics is not useful since it does not provide any clear teaching or
direction for any sort of action. According to many, it has been criticized that ethical theories by
Aristotle does not rely over any factors all formulas for walking out regarding what human
beings out to do. It however focuses over the category and the kind of person, a human is, as a
good thing by allowing room for commitments, emotions as well as family.
To summarize Aristotle ethics does not provide any guide for rules and instead sums up
everything towards the characteristics of a person leading to complex situations and incomplete
divisions.

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Reference
Crisp, Roger, ed. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Henry, Devin, and Karen Margrethe Nielsen, eds. Bridging the Gap Between Aristotle's Science
and Ethics. Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Phelan, James. "Narrative ethics." The living handbook of narratology 9 (2014).
Polansky, Ronald, ed. The Cambridge companion to Aristotle's Nicomachean ethics. Cambridge
University Press, 2014.
Vasiliou, Iakovos. "Virtue and argument in Aristotle’s ethics." Moral Psychology. Brill Rodopi,
2007. 37-78.
Vaughn, Lewis. Doing ethics: Moral reasoning and contemporary issues. WW Norton &
Company, 2015.