identify and explain the nichomachean ethics

Proponents of utilitarianism either accept the implications of their theory with respect to the cases described or modify the theory in order to circumvent the unwanted implications. Opponents of utilitarianism try to demonstrate that utilitarianism is false by presenting counterexamples to the principle of utility: acts that maximize utility but are not morally right or acts that are right but that do not maximize utility.

According to utilitarianism an act, A, is morally right iff A maximizes utility. Consider, for example, the debate over utilitarianism. Throughout NE Aristotle reminds us that an account of morality must be given “in outline and not precisely.” 2 And at least in this respect, Aristotle’s approach to the study of morality is in stark contrast with the typical style of modern ethical theorizing. 1 In fact, Aristotle emphasizes right from the outset that the kind of generalizations we can reasonably expect to find in ethics will “hold good only as a general rule, but not always” (I.3:1094b13-23). Aristotle seems perfectly comfortable discussing generalizations that are true “for the most part,” or hedged generalizations – i.e., generalizations that are true “in the right times, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right motive, and in the right way” (II.6:1106b21-22). One striking feature of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (henceforth NE) is that unlike many modern moral treatises, Aristotle’s ethical work is not concerned with finding and formulating exceptionless moral principles.

Identify and explain the nichomachean ethics