Module 2: Virtue Ethics and the

Natural Law Ethics

The Ethical Theories of Aristotle
01 Who is Aristotle? 02 The Good and the
Eudaimonia

03 The Human Reason

 Who is Aristotle?
Aristotle is hailed as one of the
three great Greek Philopophers.
He’s a scientist born in city of
Stargia, Greece circa 384 B.C.
At the age of 17
He was a student of Plato and joined
Plato’s academy at Athens until at
the age of 37

When Plato died

He was offered to be the director
of the Academy but he declined. He
left Athens and went to Mysia.

At Mysia
He met his wife, Pythias and had
a daughter named after her wife.
In 338 B.C
He went back to Macedonians to
became the teacher of Alexander
the Great.

In 335 B.C.
After Alexander succeded his father’s
throne, Aristotle went back to the
city and established his own school,
the Lyceum.

After his wife died.

He found another romace with
Herpyllis, bore him 2 children. One of
them is named Nicomachean.
Nicomachean Ethics
Nicomachean Ethics is a philosophical
inquiry into the nature of the good life
for a human being. To discover the
nature of human happiness it is
necessary to determine what the
function of a human being is, for a
person's happiness will consist in
fulfilling the natural function toward
which his being is directed.
In 323 B.C
Alexander the Great died and the
Macedonian Government was over
thrown. Aristotle was charged impiety.
He left athens.

322 B.C
Aristotle died in Chalcis on the
Island of Euboea.
The Good and
the Eudaimonia
“Every act and purpose seem to aim at some
good: and so it has been well said that the god
is that at which everything aims.” -Aristotle
The Good and
the Eudaimonia
Human activities are aimed at some ends,
most of these ends are aimed toward the
attainment of other ends.
The highest good possess the intrinsic good
which is the supreme end every act.
 Eudaimonia
Greek term “eudaimon”

“eu”means well
“daimon” means divinity or spirit

• It is not an emotional state rather a disposition.

• To live as eudaimon is seems to please the way
the gods or the spirits wants us to live.
 The Moral Virtue
Two kinds of Human Virtue according to Aristotle:

1. Those that pertain to the part of the soul that

engages in reasoning are known as to the part of
virtues of mind or intellect.

2. Those that pertain to the part of the soul that cannot

itself reason but is nonetheless capable of following
reason are known as virtues of character or ethical
virtues.
The Moral Virtue
Two kind of Intellectual Virtue:

1. Philosophic wisdom (sophia)

2. Practical Wisdom (phronesis)
 Moral Vitue
Moral virtue (ethical virtue) is state of character, an inclination or
disposition concerned with a choice lying in a mean (mesotes),
determined by the rational principle by which a man of practical
wisdom (sage/wise) would determine the virtue (arete). Moral
virtue is attained, established in one’s character through the
habitual use of reason (ergon) to choose the mean (mesotes) in
actions and passion, between the two extremes/evils of excesses
and deficiencies.
 Aristotle’s Table of Virtues and Vices

Pointers to be understood in the table above:

• Not to be taken on the quantifiable basis
• Deceiving to interpret “excess” and “deficiency”
• A courageous individual decides based on the right degree if concern for all relevant considerations.
 The Human Reason
-Human reason is what sets us apart from animals.
Man in his whole nature has a function natural to
him as man, this function is known as reason.

-Reason provides us the opportunities to live a

better life only if we allow ourselves to be guided by
this capacity.
 The Concept of Happiness
The Concept of Category of
Concept of Happiness
Happiness Individual

Happiness is shallow, insubstantial, whimsical, empty because it is

Material Good Masses based solely on material things which are temporal in nature.
Material pleasure leads to vulgarity, which is bane and evil.

Happiness is sleeting, fading, temporary because fame and glory

Honor, Dignity, could not sustain time. Though political life is a happy life, it may
Politician be devoid of philosophical understanding and appropriate
Good Reputation
activities that lead to the highest good.
This is the highest good. Happiness lies in virtuous lies where
lifelong activities necessitate the actualization of virtues.
Contemplative Life Philosophers Contemplative life is attained by someone who has achieved the
philosophic wisdom.
The End.