Aristotelian Ethics

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Aristotle

Greek
Philosopher
The Aristotelian Ethics came from the ancient Greek philosopher and
scientist, Aristotle. He was one of the greatest intellectual figures of Western
History (Amadio and Kenny, 2019).
Aristotle’s main work on ethics is the book titled, Nicomachean Ethics.
According to Lumen (n.d), he applied the same approach in his examination
of moral philosophy in the said book.
Aristotle thinks that the purpose of human life and its goal in life is
eudaimonia, meaning human flourishing or happiness, and achieving this,
one must be virtuous.
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Aristotle's Ethics
For Aristotle, ethics is more than just theoretical research. Unlike other
intellectual abilities, personality virtues tend to react in a particular way in
similar situations and are a habit of acting in a particular way. Thus, good
behavior arises from habits, which can only be obtained through
repetitive behavior and correction, making ethics a very practical
discipline.
The virtuous habit of act, according to Aristotle, is always a state in
between the opposing vices of excess and deficiency: too much and too
little are always wrong; the appropriate form of behavior is always in the
mean.

Virtuous behavior requires conscious choice and moral purpose
or motivation. People have a personal moral responsibility for
their actions. The highest goodness and goal to which all human
actions are directed is bliss, defined as the constant
contemplation of eternal universal truth.
Moral virtues are the relative average between the extremes of excess and
deficiency, and in general, moral life is one of all moderations other than
virtues. Based on ethical principles, human desires and desires are not evil
when controlled by reason. It is acquired through knowledge, habits, and
self-discipline.
According to Aristotle, Eudaimonia is the highest human good and the
only human interest that is desired for its own sake rather than for
something else as a means toward some other end.

Deficiency Golden mean Excess

The golden mean, sometimes known as the "middle path," is an ancient philosophy described in various societies. The
concept was frequently debated and regarded as a virtue in ethical situations. The "golden mean" is the desired middle
ground between excess and deficiency. The golden mean between the extremes informs Aristotle's psychology of the soul
and its virtues. We must not take Aristotle to suggest that virtue is located in the precise middle of two vices. Aristotle
implies that virtue exists between the two vices. For specific scenarios, different degrees are required. It is impossible to
know precisely what is right in a particular scenario, so we need extensive moral training.

Moral Issue DRUG ADDICTION Virtue Eudaimonia

In Aristotelean Ethics, the question to ask in regards to drug addiction is
whether it is compatible with being a virtuous person.
A person with strong moral fibre, good self-esteem, personal goals in life,
and one who lives a satisfying life of his own is far less likely to use drugs.
Whereas those who feel hopeless and have no interest in reaching goals,
have low self-esteem and live a disoriented life are most likely to resort to
drugs in order to escape reality or cope with the negative influences or
feelings.
The final end determines the happiness that is attained by a person.
Virtue is the habit of choosing the mean. Happiness is attained through
living “in accordance with virtue”.
In Eudaimonia, the goal is to strive for happiness through the
actions we perform in our daily lives.
“The end does not justify the means.” The goal isn’t everything, how you
get there matters too. The final goal may be achieving happiness but
the ability to perceive what course of action is the ultimate goal.

“A eudaimonistic life will be full of the happiness that comes from achieving something really difficult, rather than just having
it handed to you.”

“Eudaimonia is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve accomplished a lot, and that you’ve pushed yourself to be the very best
person you could be.”

Aristotelian ethics tells us that drug addiction is NOT justifiable.