Written Assignment: Paper on Virtue
Paper: 300-400 words on Aristotle's Ethics: Choose one of the following options:
Option 1: Write a paper with three paragraphs, first, with two rich paragraphs, 150-200 words each, exemplifying and explaining how a specific virtue aids, first, in fulfilling the goal of living the examined life, and secondly, in fulfilling the goal of being a true friend. Second, include a concluding paragraph which sums us your general points you have made along with some supporting details.
Most people would agree that happiness is found in living the examined life, at least in our class, and most people would agree that happiness is found in being a true friend. What Aristotle holds is that the virtues are the necessary means for fulfilling those two goals. (The beauty of those two goals, friendship and the examined life, is that they are worthwhile for their own sake while at the same time they do not close off other goals that would be essential to happiness but in fact help lead to those other goals. The virtues are the essential means to these goals of living the examined life and being the true friend.)
Pick a virtue such as justice, temperance, even-temperedness, courage, proper self-pride (self-acceptance), humility, wisdom, positive attitude, good sense of humor, or any other positive attitude specifically or good habit.
One way of identifying a virtue is to focus on the -- opposite of a bad habit. You may, if you wish, also show how the vice opposite the virtue you are considering works to destroy the examined life and life of being a true friend.
Option 2: Write a paper which shows how involvement in a specific vice leads or tends to lead a person into other vices. Give a good example, well developed, ~ and an explanation of why the vice leads to other vices.
- Pick such vices as anger, sloth (laziness), cowardice, foolishness, lust, avarice, intemperance, bad attitude, lack of sense of humor, pride, injustice.
If possible, write about an imaginary college student.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at omearawm@jmu.edu
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