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GEC09: ETHICS ARISTOTLE’S HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
MODULE 2: Virtue Ethics Aristotle's Lifespan: Aristotle lived from 384-322 BC,
placing him in ancient Greece.
Review:
Student of Plato: He was a student of Plato at the
In the field of ethics, moral theories are considered
Academia in Athens, but he often engaged in intellectual
valuable and reliable sources of guidance and authority
disputes with Plato.
when making moral judgments or ethical decisions.
Foundation of the Lyceum: Due to his disagreements
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with
with Plato, Aristotle founded his own school, known as
questions of right and wrong, good and bad, and moral
the Lyceum.
principles that guide human behavior. It seeks to answer
questions about what is morally right or wrong and how Wide Range of Works: Aristotle was a prolific writer
we ought to act in various situations. and contributed to various fields, including metaphysics,
biology (De Generatione et Corruptione), psychology (De
In ethics, a "source of authority" refers to a basis or
Anima), ethics (Nicomachean Ethics), and logic
framework that individuals or societies use to determine
(Organon).
what is morally acceptable or unacceptable. It serves as a
guide for making ethical decisions. Metaphysics: Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores fundamental
questions about the nature of reality and existence. It delves into abstract
concepts such as being, substance, causality, time, space, and the relationship
Moral theories are systematic frameworks or between mind and matter. Metaphysics seeks to understand the underlying
philosophies that provide principles and rules for principles that govern the physical and non-physical aspects of the universe.
evaluating moral issues and making ethical judgments.
Biology (De Generatione et Corruptione): Biology is the scientific study of
These theories offer different perspectives on how to living organisms and their interactions with their environment. Aristotle's work
determine what is morally right or wrong. Some common "De Generatione et Corruptione" (On Generation and Corruption) is one of his
contributions to early biological thought. In this work, he explored topics
moral theories include: related to the generation and decay of living things, including plants and
animals.
Utilitarianism: This theory asserts that the morally right
action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or Psychology (De Anima): Psychology is the scientific study of the mind,
behavior, and mental processes. Aristotle's "De Anima" (On the Soul) is one of
utility for the greatest number of people. the earliest works in the history of psychology. It examines the nature of the
soul, perception, sensation, memory, and other aspects of mental life. Aristotle's
Deontology: Deontological theories, such as Kantian approach to psychology was closely intertwined with his philosophical
ethics, emphasize the importance of following moral rules inquiries.
and principles, regardless of the consequences. They Ethics (Nicomachean Ethics): Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with
focus on duties and obligations. questions of morality, values, and principles that guide human behavior.
Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics" is a seminal work in ethical philosophy. It
Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics emphasizes the development explores the nature of virtue, happiness, and the moral character of individuals.
Aristotle's ethics is often associated with virtue ethics, emphasizing the
of virtuous character traits and focuses on what a morally development of virtuous character traits to lead a flourishing life.
virtuous person would do in a given situation.
Logic (Organon): Logic is the study of principles and rules governing valid
reasoning and argumentation. Aristotle's "Organon" is a collection of works on
Ethical Relativism: This theory suggests that moral logic that laid the foundation for the study of deductive reasoning. It includes
judgments are relative to individual or cultural treatises on categories, syllogisms, and topics related to effective
perspectives, and there are no universal moral truths. argumentation. Aristotle's contributions to logic were instrumental in shaping
the field of formal reasoning and philosophy.
Moral theories are regarded as valuable sources of
Influence from His Father: Some historians suggest that
authority in the field of ethics because they provide
Aristotle's father, who was a physician, may have
structured and reasoned approaches to determining
influenced his observational approach to studying the
what is morally right or wrong, helping individuals
world.
navigate complex ethical questions and dilemmas.
Observational Nature: Aristotle was known for his keen
powers of observation, similar to how a physician
observes patients. This observational approach is
reflected in his works.
, Son Named Nichomachus: Aristotle had a son whom he Examples of forms in the realm of forms include:
named Nichomachus. His book on ethics, "Nicomachean The Form of the Good: This is the highest and
Ethics," was named after his son. most fundamental form in Plato's philosophy. It
represents the ultimate source of all knowledge,
Legacy: Aristotle's contributions to various fields,
truth, and moral virtue. It is the source of all other
including ethics, continue to have a significant impact on
forms.
philosophy and intellectual thought.
The Form of the Triangle: In this realm, you
would find the perfect, unchanging essence of a
triangle, which all physical triangles in the
NICHOMACHEAN ETHICS material world imperfectly imitate.
• Aristotle wrote about how we should live our The Form of Justice: The ideal and unchanging
lives and be good people in a book called concept of justice, which serves as the standard
"Nicomachean Ethics." He believed that being for evaluating justice in the material world.
virtuous and having a good character was the
way to be happy and fulfilled. 2. The Realm of Matter:
The realm of matter is the lower, physical world
that we perceive through our senses. It is the
• Aristotle's departure from Plato's idealism is a
world of change, imperfection, and sensory
fundamental aspect of his ethical philosophy as
experience.
outlined in the "Nicomachean Ethics." He
In this realm, everything is in a constant state of
emphasizes the interconnectedness of matter
flux, and nothing is perfect or eternal. It is the
and form and the importance of human
world of appearances and opinions.
experience in understanding ethics and moral
Examples of objects in the realm of matter
concepts.
include:
Physical Triangles: These are the actual triangles
• Platonic Influence: Aristotle begins his
we encounter in the physical world, such as
exploration of ethics by drawing from Plato's
triangles drawn on paper or formed by physical
understanding of reality and the concept of the
objects. They are imperfect copies of the Form of
good. Plato's philosophy, rooted in the theory of
the Triangle.
forms or ideas, influenced Aristotle's early
Human Beings: In the realm of matter, individual
thinking.
human beings are distinct and constantly
changing. They have physical bodies and
• Rejection of Platonic Ideas: Aristotle departs
imperfect qualities.
from Plato's views, particularly in rejecting the
Justice in Society: The concept of justice as it
strict separation of matter and form. Plato
exists in the material world is a flawed and
believed that everything in the world of matter is
imperfect reflection of the Form of Justice in the
an imperfect copy of the ideal forms found in the
realm of forms. Different societies may have
world of ideas.
varying interpretations of justice.
• Plato's Idealism: Plato's idealism asserts that the Plato's division of the world into these two realms
true reality exists in the realm of forms or ideas, reflects his belief that the material world is a mere
and the physical world is merely a shadow or shadow or imitation of the higher, perfect world
imitation of these perfect forms. of forms. The ultimate goal, according to Plato, is
to seek knowledge of the forms through
PLATO’S IDEA OF THE GOOD philosophical inquiry and contemplation, as they
1. The Realm of Forms (Eidos): represent the true reality and source of genuine
In Plato's metaphysical framework, the realm of understanding and virtue.
forms, also known as the realm of ideas, is the
higher, non-physical, and perfect world of
abstract forms or concepts.
In this realm, everything is eternal, unchanging,
and characterized by ultimate reality. It is the
world of true knowledge and objective reality.
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