Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics" which argues that one is responsible for one's character because character results from voluntary actions. The paper outlines Aristotle's main argument and discusses his view on actions done in ignorance. The paper concludes by suggesting a case where an agent did not know that her actions would harm her character and discusses whether, according to Aristotle,
she would still be responsible for her character.

From the Paper:

"A good and virtuous person (that is, a person who practices and perfects virtues through moral education) will strive to behave both rationally and virtuously, whatever his or her conditions and circumstances; the person has, in essence, trained himself or herself to remain both rational and virtuous. Virtuousness means to not demean ones self or others, and to avoid descending into pettiness; jealousy; or meanness (vices). Therefore, one who harms her character due to ignorance is not virtuous, although still rational. Moral education can put that person on the path toward virtuousness, and toward achieving happiness based on virtues, morals, and ethics rather than on practicing vices."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. W.D. Ross (trans.). The Internet Classics Archive. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from: < http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html>.

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