Essay On Morality And Virtue Aristotle

In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle emphasizes the importance of developing one’s morality and virtue. He defines moral virtue as having the ability to put one’s capacities to work, excellently. Aristotle’s idea of morality and virtue is closely connected with his definition of the highest good, which is the being in the activity of the soul. Aristotle presents his interpretation of the highest good in a way that values the full use of human capacities. A key aspect of his argument is that humans have the capacity to investigate the good and therefore can measure what is truly virtuous. If a person wants to achieve his high standard of virtue, it is their responsibility to exercise their brain and drive themselves to obtain wisdom that benefits their lives. Aristotle believes that humans should strive to live a life of contemplation and seek wisdom or knowledge, and it is through their striving that they achieve excellence or virtue. “The virtue or excellence of man, too, will be a characteristic which makes him a good man, and which causes him to perform his won function well” (1106a20). Virtue is a state of character, which involves choice, which …show more content…
According to Aquinas, it is the duty of human to obey those in power, in order to maintain a civil society. The laws put in place are useful and are there for the well-being of humankind, and Aquinas advocates for following them. Similarly, but in a different manner, Aquinas failed to give humans the ability to question. The responsibility of questioning, and choice is taken away from humans, and Aquinas encourages them to seek community with God, and that everything is written in scripture or within humankind. Aristotle, on the other hand, charges humans with the responsibility of discovering moral virtue, and measuring what is truly