AristotleÆs ethics stem from his observation that human beings are distinct from all other animals in their endowment with a ôrational elementö (Mackinnon 2001, 91). However, human beings are not distinct from other living entities in that all natural things have within them, according to Aristotle, a ôgoal.ö This teleological view of nature led to AristotleÆs belief that the ôhighest aimö to which all things aspire is ôthe goodö (Mackinnon 2001, 90). With respect to human beings, the highest good is happiness because it is an end in and of itself. There are two types of virtues in human beings, according to Aristotle. The first of these are intellectual virtues and the second of these are moral virtues. Intellectual virtues consist of such qualities as sound reason and judgment. Such virtues as these are taught and learned. Moral virtues, in contrast, are virtues that must be practiced in order for us to become ôhabituatedö to displaying them (Mackinnon 2001, 97).
Moral virtues as the result of habit. When we practice telling the truth over and over again, it becomes easier for us to become accustomed to telling the truth. However, if we practice lying, it becomes our habit to lie rather than tell the truth. Such habituation is how we acquire virtues. Virtues are not only necessary to develop a ôgoodö person but to also develop a ôgoodö society, in AristotleÆs worldview. Aristotle outlined a number of virtues that represent the mean between two extremes, such as courage is a mean between cowardice and foolhardiness. AristotleÆs moral virtues include courage, liberality, pride, magnanimity and temperance. Aristotle maintains it is difficult to achieve such virtues because of the problematic nature of arriving at means. However, through determined and regular practice we eventually become habituated toward exhibiting moral virtues.
AristotleÆs system of ethics is not without its critics. One cri...