Aristotle’s argument
What traits constitute a moral or ethical person? Over the past years, socialists and philosophers adopt controversial points of view concerning the nature of being noble. The question about what makes a moral person realizes considerable controversy due to diversified opinions adopted by scholars, academicians, theorists, and philosophers. Aristotle and Plato are among the notable philosophers whose work considers some of the significant traits considered when determining who a moral or ethical person is. Whereas Plato emphasizes that the acquisition of knowledge is essential towards becoming a righteous person, Aristotle negates the point of view, and he argues that knowing the good or evil does not necessarily translate to a morally acceptable life. The paper reflects the two philosophers’ points of view towards supporting Aristotle’s argument as the most convincing in explaining who a moral person is.
I believe that being ethical or moral is dictated by a person’s behavior, which evidences a desire to help others, correctitude, and honesty. The last two are personal attitudes that curtail an individual from indulging in negative behavior. Maintaining a correct and honest behavior curtails individuals from engaging in acts that ultimately lead to the creation of negative impacts on individuals in their immediate surrounding environment. My point of view supports Aristotle’s argument concerning what constitutes a moral person. Aristotle negated the argument that the acquisition of knowledge concerning good and evil will automatically lead to morally upright behavior. Aristotle believed that the acquisition of knowledge about good or evil does not necessarily lead to moral uprightness (Heinaman, 2017). Such an argument is factual. The support to this argument is based on the fact that some education individuals, who know good and evil, engage in morally unacceptable behavior knowingly. Arguably, morality is an inborn desire and cannot be necessarily evidenced by individuals as a result of education.
The principle of virtue ethics is a fundamental consideration when analyzing matters associable with moral behavior. Examining the character and nature of virtue of a virtuous person is an essential consideration when reflecting on the toping of morality. The utilization of reinforcement can lead to a change in a child’s attitude. Habituation, which is associable with non-associative learning leading to a decrease in non-reinforced response to a stimulus due to reinforcement, is an essential principle that can be utilized to change a child’s attitude (Tighe & Leaton, 2016). Using the principle, I would use reinforcements such as rewarding a child adopting a moral and punishment to discourage morally unacceptable behavior. Through such reinforcement, a child’s child will be transformed and ultimately influenced to abide by the morally acceptable character traits. The principle is essential since it gives an insight into some of the critical considerations to influence individuals to adopt ethically acceptable behavior. If everyone is virtuous in society, there will be positive transformations since all individuals will feel obligated to do things that lead to an ultimate benefit to others surrounding them.
In summary, the paper reflects on the significant consideration towards dictating who a morally upright person is. Moral uprightness is dictated by the principles of correctitude, honesty, and the desire to behave in a manner leading to mutual benefits of all the individuals in the surrounding environment. Aristotle’s argument is factual. Acquisition of knowledge concerned excellent or evil does not necessarily influence an individual to lead a morally acceptable life. Ignorance may curtail educated individuals from maintaining morally acceptable conduct. The principle of virtue ethics is crucial since it reveals the essentiality of reinforcement towards shaping a person’s behavior. Using the principle, I can change a child’s attitude through the utilization of reinforcement.
References
Heinaman, R. (2017). Plato and Aristotle’s ethics. Routledge.
Tighe, T. J., & Leaton, R. N. (2016). Habituation: Perspectives from child development, animal behavior, and neurophysiology. Routledge.