Aristotle Ethics vs. Contemporary Virtue Ethics

Attribute	Aristotle Ethics	Contemporary Virtue Ethics
Founder	Aristotle	Various philosophers
Focus	Character development	Personal virtues and moral character
Goal	Eudaimonia (flourishing)	Human flourishing
Emphasis	Moral virtues	Personal virtues
Role of reason	Central role	Important but not exclusive

Aristotle Ethics

Aristotle's Ethics, also known as Virtue Ethics, is a philosophical theory that focuses on the development of moral character and the cultivation of virtues as the key to living a good life. Aristotle believed that virtues are habits that we acquire through practice and that they enable us to achieve eudaimonia, or flourishing. According to Aristotle, virtues are the mean between two extremes - for example, courage is the mean between cowardice and recklessness.

In Aristotle's Ethics, the ultimate goal is to achieve eudaimonia, which is often translated as happiness or flourishing. Eudaimonia is not just a fleeting feeling of pleasure, but a state of well-being that comes from living a virtuous life. Aristotle believed that eudaimonia is the highest good and that all other goods are instrumental to achieving it.

Aristotle identified several key virtues that are essential for living a good life, including courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice. These virtues are not innate qualities, but rather habits that we develop through practice and repetition. Aristotle believed that by cultivating these virtues, we can become better people and ultimately achieve eudaimonia.

Contemporary Virtue Ethics

Contemporary Virtue Ethics is a modern approach to ethics that is inspired by Aristotle's Ethics but has been developed and expanded upon by contemporary philosophers. Unlike traditional ethical theories like Utilitarianism or Kantian Ethics, Virtue Ethics focuses on the character of the moral agent rather than the consequences of actions or adherence to moral rules.

One key difference between Aristotle's Ethics and Contemporary Virtue Ethics is the emphasis on cultural and contextual factors in the latter. Contemporary Virtue Ethics recognizes that virtues may be understood and practiced differently in different cultures and contexts, and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to virtue.

Another difference is the focus on emotions and relationships in Contemporary Virtue Ethics. While Aristotle also recognized the importance of emotions in moral development, contemporary virtue ethicists place a greater emphasis on the role of emotions in shaping our moral character and guiding our actions.

Comparison

• Both Aristotle Ethics and Contemporary Virtue Ethics emphasize the importance of virtues in living a good life.
• Both theories recognize the role of habits and practice in developing virtues.
• Both Aristotle and contemporary virtue ethicists believe that virtues are essential for achieving eudaimonia or flourishing.
• One key difference is the emphasis on cultural and contextual factors in Contemporary Virtue Ethics.
• Another difference is the focus on emotions and relationships in Contemporary Virtue Ethics.

In conclusion, while Aristotle's Ethics laid the foundation for Virtue Ethics, contemporary virtue ethicists have expanded and refined the theory to address the complexities of modern life. Both approaches share a common goal of promoting moral character and living a good life, but they differ in their emphasis on cultural factors and the role of emotions. Ultimately, both Aristotle Ethics and Contemporary Virtue Ethics offer valuable insights into what it means to be a virtuous person and how to achieve eudaimonia.