Aristotle Nichomachean Ethics Essay Research Paper As

Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics Essay, Research Paper

As adolescents growing up in such turbulent times, it is often difficult for persons of my young age to make decisions that are both rational and moral. I have watched a countless number of my peers make decisions that they understood to be immoral. Whether or not they were simply trying to “fit in” or avoid peer pressure, I cannot say. I can only say that I observed this with sadness. For I only wish that my friends could have the strength to believe in their morals, values and reason that are the roots of their very existence and not have to resort to acting out of their desire to be accepted.

I feel a sense of sadness because I know in my own life, I have developed a moral system that allows me to make decisions without a question or doubt. It is this system that allows me to face situations with the knowledge that I will come out ahead. It is true that the majority of what I believe to be moral can be attributed to my parents and the values they have instilled in me. For example, I have been told from an early age that lying is wrong. My experiences as I have grown older, and the constant reminder from my parents have only shown this value to hold consistent moral worth. However, my education, socialization and firm faith have only been the stepping stones to becoming a righteous individual. As a thinking, rational being, I see it as my duty to take this basis to a higher level. I must be able to critique my thought processes and analyze them in order to understand fully the roots of my very existence. Only then can I find myself on the road to becoming a mature and original thinker.

In addition to the moral framework that I have received from my parents, I have also instilled in myself another system that adds to and enhances the already existing one. The basis of this moral code stems from the inspirational work of art known as “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann. There is a quote from this piece that I continually strive to base my life around. This quote states:

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

The preceding passage emits to me several sentiments, which are the basis of my morality and my value system. First, I believe passionately and deeply that each and every being deserves and should demand the respect that they are due. No one being is above another and no one being should ever be treated as if they were anything less than the rational creature that they are. Second, stemming from respect, each being has the right to make their own decisions. I, and only I, am able to decide what is right for me. I am truly the master of my own destiny and not a single other person has the right to decide what is right for my life or me. Thirdly, as the master of my own destiny, I believe that reason is the master over my passions. Without this precept, my actions would not be chosen out of rationality or coherence in their justifications. Attempting to lead a wholesome life sans this principle may prove to be quite difficult.

With these principles in mind, I am constantly forced to make decisions about what is right and wrong. Above all, my reason drives me towards being a moral individual. Those actions that I choose to partake in are those that conform to my moral system and I therefore believe to be virtuous. Although it is nearly impossible to understand exactly how each and every choice is made, I do know that my reasoning powers irrefutably play an immense role in that process. It is not often that I let my passions run away with my mind passively in store. With every challenge and obstacle that I face, small or large, my reasoning powers continuously take into account all sides, hemming and hawing over which elements carry more weight. My reason considers all facts, influences, and possible consequences and makes a judgement based on their parallelism with my method of morality.

As I have contemplated my morality and approach to moral decisions, I have come to find that my moral system is most similar to that of Aristotle and his Virtue Theory of morality. Aristotle offers his theory of virtue through his Nichomachean Ethics. Aristotle is concerned primarily with molding virtuous people and shaping society into one that flourishes through morality. The virtues that drive the moral system of Aristotle are formed by means of habits and settled dispositions. It is not enough merely to know what is right or just but one must practice such things day in and day out in order to truly be virtuous. Through education and extensive training, Aristotle believes that any rational human being can become a virtuous person. It is the creation of these educated and habitual beings that Aristotle is primarily concerned with and above all, the end to all our moral actions is to develop good character.

According to Aristotle, we are not born knowing exactly what makes us moral or which actions are inherently good. It is therefore the role of parents and society to teach children which actions are exemplary and virtuous. He believes that as children, we learn by example. As we see those around us committing moral acts, we too will begin to mold our impressionable lives around such deeds. Eventually, those virtuous actions will become