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Question: From De Anima, what are Aristotle's moral values!?
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Aristotle considered ethics to be a practical science, i!.e!., one mastered by doing rather than merely reasoning!. Further, Aristotle believed that ethical knowledge is not certain knowledge (such as metaphysics or epistemology) but is general knowledge!. He wrote several treatises on ethics, including most notably, Nichomachean Ethics, in which he outlines what is commonly called virtue ethics!.

Aristotle taught that virtue has to do with the proper function of a thing!. An eye is only a good eye in so much as it can see, because the proper function of an eye is sight!. Aristotle reasoned that man must have a function uncommon to anything else, and that this function must be an activity of the soul!. Aristotle identified the best activity of the soul as eudaimonia: a happiness or joy that pervades the good life!. Aristotle taught that to achieve the good life, one must live a balanced life and avoid excess!. This balance, he taught, varies among different persons and situations, and exists as a golden mean between two vices - one an excess and one a deficiency!.

Many philosophers believe that morality consists of following precisely defined rules of conduct, such as "don't kill," or "don't steal!." Presumably, I must learn these rules, and then make sure each of my actions live up to the rules!. Virtue theorists, however, place less emphasis on learning rules, and instead stress the importance of developing good habits of character, such as benevolence!. Once I've acquired benevolence, for example, I will then habitually act in a benevolent manner!. Historically, virtue theory is one of the oldest normative traditions in Western philosophy, having its roots in ancient Greek civilization!. Plato emphasized four virtues in particular, which were later called cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice!. Other important virtues are fortitude, generosity, self-respect, good temper, and sincerity!. In addition to advocating good habits of character, virtue theorists hold that we should avoid acquiring bad character traits, or vices, such as cowardice, insensibility, injustice, and vanity!. Virtue theory emphasizes moral education since virtuous character traits are developed in one's youth!. Adults, therefore, are responsible for instilling virtues in the young!.

Arriving at a short list of representative normative principles is itself a challenging task!. The principles selected must not be too narrowly focused, such as a version of act-egoism that might focus only on an action's short-term benefit!. The principles must also be seen as having merit by people on both sides of an applied ethical issue!. For this reason, principles that appeal to duty to God are not usually cited since this would have no impact on a nonbeliever engaged in the debate!. The following principles are the ones most commonly appealed to in applied ethical discussions:

Personal benefit: acknowledge the extent to which an action produces beneficial consequences for the individual in question!.
Social benefit: acknowledge the extent to which an action produces beneficial consequences for society!.
Principle of benevolence: help those in need!.
Principle of paternalism: assist others in pursuing their best interests when they cannot do so themselves!.
Principle of harm: do not harm others!.
Principle of honesty: do not deceive others!.
Principle of lawfulness: do not violate the law!.
Principle of autonomy: acknowledge a person's freedom over his/her actions or physical body!.
Principle of justice: acknowledge a person's right to due process, fair compensation for harm done, and fair distribution of benefits!.
Rights: acknowledge a person's rights to life, information, privacy, free expression, and safety!.

Hope to answer your question!.
Sorry it's a little bit long, but when I talk about Aristotle, I go on and on, and on!.
My very best to you!.
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