Why Aristotle Sees Moral Virtue

Why Aristotle Sees Moral Virtue Aristotle claims we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts. (p120). How does he establish this, and what does it tell us about virtue, and the goal of human life. In this paper I will make discuss why Aristotle sees moral virtue as something which must be taught through emulation of role models, rather than learnt through detached methods. I will then extrapolate what Aristotles claim tells us about moral virtue, and what this means for the goal of a human life. Before I begin to determine what Aristotles claim tells us about virtue, and means for the goal of human life, I will reconstruct how Aristotle arrives at his conclusion. In Book II, chapter I Aristotle begins by defining exactly what he believes virtue to be. Aristotle sees virtue as, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue in the main owes both its birth and its growth to teaching (for which reason it requires experience and time), while moral virtue comes about as a result of habit (Aristotle 120). Essentially Aristotle is of the opinion that we are taught intellectual virtue, and we are habituated through repeated exposure to displays of moral virtue by moral role models. Aristotle next contends that moral virtues are not imbedded in us naturally, noting, nothing that exists by nature can form a habit contrary to its nature (Aristotle 120). Aristotle claims that we are constituted by nature to receive moral virtues, but that their full development in us is due to habit. Essentially, we are not born with moral virtue, but it is natural for us to become moral through the emulation of the morality of others. Aristotle moves on to propose the crux of his views on moral virtue, that we develop moral virtues by observing others, and then practicing them. In order to convince the reader of this, he introduces the analogy of the Arts in order to make his case for moral virtue, using the two examples of building and lyre-playing. For things that we have to learn by doing, he says, we learn by doing. Aristotle then delivers his argument that, men become builders by building and lyre players by playing the lyre ; so too we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts (Aristotle 120). Aristotle offers support for this view by introducing the example of legislation in the contemporary Greek city-states. Aristotle argues that legislators make their citizens good by habituation, which he feels should be the intention of every legislator. Those who do not carry out this habituation of their citizens fail in their goals. Essentially, Aristotle feels that under a good constitution, legislators pass laws that habituate the citizens to behave morally. According to Aristotle, this is what makes the difference between a good constitution and a bad one. Aristotle further purports that like activities produce like dispositions. As a result, he feels that we must give our activities a certain quality, as it is the characteristics of the activity that determine the resulting dispositions. Aristotle expresses this sentiment by claiming that, it is from playing the lyre that both good and bad lyre-players are produced (Aristotle 121). It is essential that good habits be instilled in a person from early youth, he claims, so it is a matter of great importance what sort of habits we form from the earliest age. Aristotle goes as far as to say that, it makes a very great difference, or rather all the difference in the world (Aristotle 121). I will now move on to a discussion of what Aristotles declaration tells us about virtue, and what it suggests that the goal of human life be. Aristotle tells us that virtues cannot be passions, because we are not praised or blamed for the way we feel, but instead are praised or blamed for our virtues this is because our feelings arise more or less involuntarily in response to circumstances (Aristotle 123). Aristotles reason for denying that virtues are faculties is similar. Part of a persons faculties consist of his or her ability to feel anger, however, we do not praise or blame people for having the ability to feel anger instead we often praise people for tending to manifest their ability to feel anger when, and only when, the circumstances call for it (Aristotle 123). Aristotle concludes that virtues must therefore be states of character. By understanding that moral virtues are states of character, Aristotle presents us with a picture of what virtues are. Aristotle tells us that moral virtues are states of character lying at the mean between extremes of excess and deficiency. The view that virtues lie at the mean between the two extremes is intended to help us identify which states of character are the virtuous ones. Both excess and deficiency in the practice of a virtue can result in its destruction while the practice of the mean between them can preserve it. The virtuous state of character will therefore be a tendency to feel and react to circumstances in an appropriate manner and to an appropriate degree (Aristotle 126). Aristotle however, does not tell us just what circumstances warrant what degree of passion with respect to virtues, or what degree of action is appropriate under which circumstances. Common sense suggests that there should be some leeway for judging the deviation from the mean towards excess or def iciency, and that our behaviour must be suited to the particular circumstances as best we see fit given our understanding of intellectual virtue. Not all states of character can be construed as virtuous however. Aristotle notes that there are acts and characteristics that are truly evil and have no intermediate degrees. Aristotle expresses this by declaring that, every action or feeling admits of a mean; because some have names that directly connote depravity, such as malice, shamelessness and envy, and among actions adultery, theft and murder (Aristotle 125). Aristotles theory of moral virtue contends that our ultimate purpose or goal in life should be to reach eudaimonia, the state of moral happiness. However, to reach this state of happiness requires the ability to function according to both our virtues and our sense of innate reason. By using principles of both the intellectual and moral virtue, which becomes habit upon practice and imitation, we must learn to make decisions that are right and just-not necessarily for our own personal benefit, but simply because we possess an understanding that something is the right course of action. Without having these two aspects of morality work together, obtainment of eudaimonia is impossible. In summary, it is our understanding of intellectual virtue (which we learn from others) that allows us to perceive what is right while our display of moral virtue aids us in carrying out what we know to be the correct and just course of action. One of the most important ideas which Aristotle expresses in his Nicomachean Ethics is the need to strike a balance between extremes in behaviour, thought, and action. In his attempt to explain moral virtue and, eudaimonia which is the central goal of human life Aristotle describes the importance of finding a middle ground in ones life or, achieving a balance. To achieve these aims and reach eudaimonia, Aristotle declares that we must do the right thing because it is right, not because there is a personal stake in terms of the future possibility of pleasure or pain (Aristotle 126-127). Essentially, what is morally right or wrong is something that we can understand through intellectual virtue, and we can apply this knowledge of moral behaviour through our practice and habituation of moral virtues. In conclusion, Aristotle arrives at his claim that we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts by offering an analogy of the Arts. By utilizing the example of a lyre-player, Aristotle shows that one can only become proficient in their actions, including the expression of moral virtues, by observing others actions and then practicing. Moral virtues, for Aristotle, are to be distinguished from intellectual virtues. Moral virtue has to do with feeling, choosing, and acting well. Intellectual virtue is identified as a kind of wisdom acquired by teaching. Aristotle is vehement in his belief that moral virtues are not imbedded in us naturally and that we must acquire them by habituation that this acquisition come during early childhood is of extreme importance in his mind. Aristotle tells us that moral virtue is displayed as the intermediate condition between excess and deficiency with respect to a persons feelings and actions. According Aristotles theory of moral virtue, the goal of human life should therefore be to achieve eudaimonia, which can be acquired by an intellectual understanding of what is right and wrong, and the striking of a balance between extremes in behaviour, thought, and action.

Censorship of the Internet for Children Essay -- Computers Technology

Censorship of the Internet for Children The Internet is one of the most profound and important technological advancements of this era. It has touched the lives of hundreds of millions of people all over the world. The Internet has become so embedded into our everyday life that for many, life would almost be unbearable without an internet connection. The Internet has enabled so many people who are so far away from each other a means of communication. It eased the burden of contacting loved ones across the world from each other. Not only does the Internet provide a digital communication playground for users, it also provides them with a sea of invaluable resources. The wealth of information that is available on the Internet is both overwhelming and incredible. Almost everything imaginable to the human mind can be found on the Internet. Whether or not some of this information is legitimate, it still exists and is available to anyone who wants to access it. The Internet has empowered the individuals who are connected t o it with an abundance of resources and information. The Internet has brought about a new means of doing business. It seems that all business models today include the Internet some how. On the surface, the Internet may seem great, wonderful and ingenious however, the ability for everyone to access the Internet is both a blessing and also a curse. It is beautiful that the Internet and its contents are available to everyone, but that â€Å"everyone† includes children who are under the age of 18. The implications of this type of access are extremely problematic both socially and ethically. According to Internet World Stats, the estimated population of the world is about 6.45 billion people with approximately... ...itehouse.com/ â€Å"Whitehouse.com† [11] http://www.craiglist.com â€Å"Visit the Best in Adult Sites† [12] http://www.snapshotspy.com/stats.htm â€Å"Child Computer Usage Statistics† [13] http://www.utilitarianism.com/utilitarian.htm â€Å"Utilitarianism† [14] http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031025-1.html â€Å"Protection From Pornography Week, 2003†, President of the U.S, Oct. 25, 2003 [15] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58610-2002Nov15.html â€Å"Congress Approves ‘Dot-Kids’ Measure†, David Maguire, Nov. 12, 2002 [16] http://www.kids.us/sitelist.html â€Å"Current Site List† [17] http://www.icra.org/ â€Å"Internet Content Rating Association† [18] http://www.icra.org/_en/about/ â€Å"ICRA At A Glance† [19] http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~sumwel_h/links/linkJ04.htm â€Å"Laws of Japan† [20] http://www.ageofconsent.com/japan.htm â€Å"Age of Consent for Japan†

Personal Philosophy of Nursing Essay

Belief is the reflection of values that guides one to plan and set goals in their personal and professional Life. With this in mind, and that caring is the essence of nursing practice, my career path goals were outlined and focused on concept of education , health and care. My perspectives and beliefs about nursing as a profession have been gradually developed throughout the years by the influence of many, mentorship, education and by long years of clinical experience. Beliefs Nursing. Nurses help and care for the sick or well, and promote health with skills, expertise and knowledge. The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as â€Å"the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.† We nurses are focused and educated to provide the most holistic care to individuals and family with actual and/or potential health problem. (ANA, 2009). Our commitment is to assist individuals/clients efforts to reach their optimal health potential. Client. Client can be the individual, family, group, organization or communities that have innate abilities, resources, experiences and values that guide decision-making regarding health issues.† (University of Kansas School of Nursing, 2001). Kings’ theory emphasizes the importance of clie nt participation in the decision-making and deal with choices, alternatives and outcomes of care (cited by Parker, 2006). Nurses need to understand how individual/clients choose and accept responsibility when they are their health decision-maker. Health. Health is the client optimal state of wellness. The World Health Organization defines health as â€Å"a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.† Leininger defined health as â€Å"state of well-being that is culturally defined, valued, and practiced and reflects the ability of individuals or groups to perform their daily role activities in culturally expressed, beneficial and patterned ways (cited by Parker, 2006). The individual/ client health is intrinsic interacted with his/her environment. Environment. Newman defines environment as â€Å"all internal and external factors or influences surrounding the identified client or client system (cited by Parker, 2006).† Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings proposed that the client and their environment are integral with one another in a continuous process (Blais et al, 2002). When nurses apply Rogers’ theory in their practice, they holistic focus on the person as a whole and promote and integrate care between the client and his/her environment. It is my belief that environment greatly influences a client’s health and her/his perception of health and it is in continuous and creative changes. My career goals were outlined in the perspective of changes and advancement of my profession and a more competent professional nurse. Goals Short-term. My immediate short- term goals as soon as school is over, is to be oriented as day House Supervisor in the facility where I work. It will be a cross-training position, since I am not planning to leave the clinical area anytime soon. This new position will be parallel to my actual position as telemetry charge nurse. My second goal is to finish St David HCA academy leadership classes by the end of this year. I believe that these short-term goals will pave my career path and give me the foundation to accomplish my long-term goals Long-term. I have two long-term goals that I am planning to accomplish by 2012. First, I am planning to be Austin Community College Nurse School’s clinical instructor assistant to start in January of 2010. Also, next year, I would like to apply and be accepted in a â€Å"Developmental Teaching Program† that the University Of Texas (UT), with the collaboration of St David HCA and Seton Hospital, organized to help and assist employees who are interested in advancing their education into a master’s program and be involved with teaching. Each hospital accepts fifteen qualified employees per semester and the program consists of three teaching classes at master level. Planning my career and setting up goals beyond being a bedside nurse was not an easy step. It was finalized/ concreted by the influence and support of friends and my family Critical Analysis Beliefs. My beliefs about nursing were influenced especially by my husband and by one of my lifetime friends. Both taught me that nursing is a profession that one never stops learning and learning is the only way to acquire knowledge to improve and excel as a professional. I also have an enthusiastic mentor that instructs and encourages me to expand my knowledge in other areas of nursing rather than just being a bedside nurse. My beliefs in my career, also, have been greatly influenced by my mother who continuously reminds me to always put myself in the patient’s place before any decision or judgment is done. Through it, she taught me what compassion and true care means. Besides the people mentioned above, there are many others that in one way or another influenced and shaped my beliefs about nursing. Career Choice. Nursing has been my only profession. I got my ADN diploma through Florence Nightingale Nursing School, the only England Nurse School in my country. So, once in the U.S, I went back to nursing school and got my ADN. My career choice happened long before I even finished high school. My father was very sick for a long time and very often I would go with him to the hospital for doctors’ appointments or just to the emergency room. During those times my heart would go to those sick people lying down on the ground outside the hospital waiting for an available doctor or a nurse to see them, and, most of the time it would not happen so soon. Some of these people would stay for a day or two in the heat, hungry, thirsty, dirty and in pain. Against my mother orders, (because we did not have much), I started to bring food, and water to those people and I would apply butter to their wounds to keep them wet ( I had seen the old women in the farm doing it). When I really decided to go the nurse school, I was not sure about it. I told my mother that would try it because I did not want to be anything back then. Once I started nursing school, I was totally in love with it. Indirectly, my father led me to my current career path that I feel fulfilled me as a professional. Current Career Path. I have been a nurse for six years. Since my graduation, I have been working as a telemetry nurse/charge nurse. But through these years I have been working in all med/surg floors, step-down ICU and ER. I like cardiology the most. It is a fast pace unit and can be very challenging. In this unit I am able to advise and encourage patients on health maintenance and disease prevention, and that I work with a team that together provides optimal care to those with cardiac diseases. All these years as an ADN I was comfortable as it was until two years ago, when my husband and my mentor encouraged me to advance my education at least to the BSN level. And, I am glad that I did it. The RN-BSN bridge program was essential in expanding my knowledge and therefore improved my nurse practice. Impact of RN-BSN Program on Nursing and Career The Texas Tech University health Sciences Center School of Nursing program has had a great impact in my profession and career path. Through this program I have been learning more about evidence-based practice, theories and nursing practice than I did in all those years in the ADN schools. Now, for example, when I look at a medication(s), read or do a procedure on a patient , I am more aware of the importance of research and evidence-based practice and why I (we) do things in certain order or way. â€Å"By exploring concepts such as: evidence-based practice, professional development, life-long learning, community health, nursing theories, research, mentorship, current issues facing nursing and many more I now see nursing form a larger perspective (Harmon, 2009).† This program expanded my knowledge, enhanced my practice and thus, effectively improves my patient’s outcomes. Through this program I became a stronger and more complete nurse. It taught me the discipline of nursing practice is guided by theories and models that can be applied to my daily practice. Nurse Model Jean Watsons theory of caring has profound impact in the practice of nursing. Caring is central to nursing; it is the central focus of practice. Foster, 2008 states that †¦Ã¢â‚¬ caring is to preserve human dignity, is to preserve humanity in systems and in society, increasingly awakening in nurses and nursing to realize they have a critical role in sustaining human caring and humanity itself, especially in instances where it is threatened.† Caring in my daily nurse practice underlies human values and beliefs that are essential in an individual/client or/and family basic needs. â€Å"The nursing response is a specific expression of caring nurturance to sustain and enhance the ‘other’ as he or she lives caring and grows in caring in the situation of concern (Buldin, 2005).† Through the theory of caring, I am more sensitive to express feeling of care and allow my clients, family and/or coworkers to express their own feeling of care. â€Å"Nursing can expand its existing role, continuing to make contributions to health care within the modern model by developing its foundational caring healing and health strengths that have always been present on the margin (Cara, 2003).† Caring is not a momentum, but a personal response. Conclusion My beliefs regarding the nursing profession and my goals were paved by people that continue and will continue to greatly and positively influence my personal and professional values. Through this career patch, caring is my daily vision and my response to those that come to my care. References American Nurses Association, 2009. Considering Nursing? Retrieved March 28, 2009 from http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/StudentNurses.aspx American Nurses Association, 2009. What is Nursing? Retrieved March 28, 2009 from http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/StudentNurses/WhatisNursing.aspx Blais, K.K., Hayes, S.J., Kozier,B. & Erb,G., 2002. Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Cara, C., 2003.A pragmatic View of jean Watsons’s Caring Theory. International Journal for Human Caring Vol 7(3). Retrieved March 30, 2009 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy- ttuhsc.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=9&hid=5&sid=91639aaf-72f3-4082-a574‘6e5a3d0caaaa%40 Buldin, S., 2005. Nursing as Caring Theory: Living Caring in Practice. Retrieved march 30, 2009 From http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.ezproxy.ttuhsc.edu/spb/ovidweb.cgi?&S=GOPEFPHIG GD DPCDNNCGLPHPLGBLCAA00&Link+Set=S.sh.15.16.46%7c12%7csl_10 Foster, L. R., 2007. Tribute to the Theorist. Retrieved March 30, 2009 from http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.ezproxy.ttuhsc.edu/spb/ovidweb.cgi?&S=GOPEFPHIG GDDPCDNNCGLPHPLGBLCAA00&Link+Set=S.sh.15.16.18%7c3%7csl_10 University of Kansas School of Nursing, 2001. Mission, Philosophy, Organizing Framework, and Curricular Threads. Retrieved March 28, 2009 from http://www2.kumc.edu/son/vorientation/concept.html Harmon, V., (2009, Spring). Baccalaureate Nursing practice Course Syllabus: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Undergraduate Program Philosophy. Retrieved March 18, 2009 from http:webtc6.ttuhsc.edu

Free Speech Essay - 809 Words

The Constitution of the United States states in its First Amendment that quot;Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievancesquot; (Funk amp; Wagnalls 162). This Amendment guarantees each person of free speech. Does this mean that a person can stand in the middle of the street and yell anything he wants? No, society, even though it cherishes freedom of speech, does give this freedom certain restrictions. Why does society find it necessary to restrict freedom of speech? Does this ensure a more controlled society?†¦show more content†¦The case Chaplinsky vs. New Hampshire stated that there are some classes of speech that are limited. They are the lewd, the obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting words. When spoken they encourage fighting and so is a disturbance of peace (Stone, Seidman). Therefore, the courts have created laws that will protect a person against libel and slander. Freedom of speech is limited in almost every area of a persons life. For instance, a tennis player will be fined heavily during a tennis tournament if he expresses himself with foul language on the tennis court. This obviously curtails the right of the tennis player to express himself freely, but it protects the decency of the spectators because certain forms of language are not proper for some situations. If a person goes to the movies and begins to carry on a conversation it is most probable that security will ask him to leave the theater. By restricting his freedom of speech, the movie theater has protected the right of the person who went to enjoy a movie. The American courts have stated that the freedom of speech would not protect a man from falsely yelling quot;firequot; in a theater and so creating a clear and present danger (Stone, Seidman). Therefore, the freedom of speech cannot be abused. There are times when the government must guarantee the safety of the people, especially in times of war. For example, quot;theShow MoreRelatedFree Speech Or Freedom Of Speech Essay911 Words   |  4 Pagesof Freedom, basically we are entitled for legal freedom to do whatever we wanted to. However, the freedom of speech has been challenged by many university students and educators recently. In their argument, they believe that free speech has triggered students’ unhappiness and jeopardize campus’ safety. What is the free speech or freedom of speech? 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Heyman in the article â€Å"Free Speech Has Limits,† freedom of speech comes tied together with respecting the freedom of other and the rights of other people (par. 4). The author goes on to say that cutting off other peoples rights in the name of free speech can be seen as wrongful and can be faced with consequences (parRead MoreFreedom Of Speech : Free Speech1296 Words   |  6 PagesFreedom Of Speech In 399 B.C, the Greek Philosopher Socrates was persecuted for an early argument promoting free speech. Later on, The Protection of Speech was first introduced when the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, and in 1948, the United Nations stated that free speech is a human right and drafted into the international Declaration of Human rights.The government doesn t have the right to make a law abridging the freedom of speech because Free Speech is a form of democracy and it s a fundamentalRead MoreFree Speech Freedom Of Speech886 Words   |  4 Pagesunlike any other. The issue? Free speech. Protesters from both sides of the the political spectrum are outraged. leftists claiming that free speech is â€Å"being used as a cover for spreading hate in America†, that people like the infamous Yiannopoulos (a conservative political commentator known for making offensive statements and supporting â€Å"white supremacy, transphobia, and misogyny†) are doing harm with their first amendme nt right, while conservatives are claiming free speech is being threatened by theRead MoreThe Rights Of Free Speech1182 Words   |  5 Pagespresence of hate speech against minorities and how to appropriately resolve issues of hate speech without infringing on the rights of free speech that is important for the existence of democracy. The purpose of using this document by Emily Foster is to use the contents of the article to help support their current position on the act of democratic censorship, but wither it be in a way to promote censorship in order to maintain order, or to remove censorship as a way to promote free speech is unclear toRead MoreFree Speech And Hate Speech1000 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween hate and free speech is, and what the first amendment does to control them both. The first amendment states that congress shall make no law that abridges the freedom of speech. But to what extent should language be protected? The rights of one man should reach until they shadow over another’s. Meaning free speech is protected until it violates the rights of another. Hate speech is the line where free speech becomes unconstitutional. The contrast between free speech and hate speech is a heavily