rsrevision.com/ethical theory

Virtue Ethics

 

Key Points

Aristotle

MacIntyre

Other Virtue Theorists

 

Biography

Aristotle (384 BCE-322BCE), "The Philosopher", was a student of Plato who wrote about a wide range of different topics including physics, biology, zoology, politics, ethics, poetry etc. Some people poke fun at Aristotle for the bizarre claims he made (such as Bertrand Russell, who criticised Aristotle's assertion that 'Women have fewer teeth than men', even though he had never counted the teeth of either of his wives). However, Aristotle was so prolific that he was bound to make a few mistakes.

Aristotle's father was court physician to the Macedonian king, and taught him medicine and biology. When his father died, Aristotle, aged ten, was brought up by his uncle, who taught him poetry and rhetoric. At 18, he went to Athens, where he was a pupil of Plato for 19 years.

Aristotle later became tutor to Alexander the Great. When Alexander left on his Asiatic campaign, Aristotle founded the Lyceum in Athens. For 13 years Aristotle wrote dialogues expounding his theories in popular tongue, as well as more didactic treatises.

After Alexander's death, the charge of impiety (that led to Socrates' death) was brought against Aristotle, and he fled, saying "I will not allow the Athenians to sin twice against philosophy". Aristotle died the following year.

About Us | Site Map | Contact Us | ©2015 rsrevision.com