Analysis Of Aristotle s Book II Of Nicomachean Ethics

In Aristotle’s Book II of Nicomachean Ethics, he states that virtue of character is how someone gets to the ultimate end, which is happiness. Aristotle states that, without a goal or ultimate end (happiness), life does not have a purpose. Therefore every action in a person’s life has to be made with true virtue of character in mind in order to achieve the final end. Aristotle states that virtue arises in us neither by nature nor against nature but since we are humans, by nature, we are able to acquire virtue and perform it later (Book II, p. 18). With that being said, how people behave in their lives and how they interact with people, and how they repeat similar activities determines their virtue of character. Which leads into Aristotle stating that, this is why we as people should perform the right activities, since differences in these activities imply differences within the states which is why it is important to acquire virtuous habits at a young age (Book II, p.19) . From this you can determine that people must act accordingly or with the correct behavior and with habit if they want to acquire certain states of virtue. Aristotle gives the example of excessive exercise and being deficient in exercise can ruin the strength of a persons body, just as eating too much or too little can ruin the health of a persons body, but when you do these things in the correct amount it helps the body (Book II, p. 20). This example shows that the goodness of an action can naturally beShow MoreRelatedAristotle s Philosophy On Moral Virtue1274 Words   |  6 PagesIn Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the idea of moral virtue. Aristotle emphasized the importance of developing moral virtue as the way to achieve what is finally more important, human flourishing (eudaimonia). 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