Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics

Nichomachean Ethics helps understand the nature of good life in human beings, which is guided by various virtues such as justice and generosity. It is guided by intellect and reasoning. On the virtue of being generous, for instance, one cannot wake up one day and decide to offer a reward or gift randomly. The reason why he terms the act as being complicated. Before issuing a gift, one has to deliberate over it and consider a few factors, reasoning on whether the individual deserves the gift. The object of giving has to be put in place, the offering has to an ideal one, and the sources of one's wealth has to be put into consideration. He differentiates magnificence from generosity (Kenny, 2016). Aristotle states these two terms as being related, but they are different from one another. While magnificent people are generous in one way or another, the same cannot be told about the liberal type. They are not grand. They decide to give without necessarily having the wealth. The contrast is brought about by what they own in terms of wealth. While the generous will do it out of goodwill, the magnificence will not only do it for the same reason but also showcase their possession. 

Justice is another form of virtue that ensures equality among all people despite their different classes. According to Aristotle, it summarizes all the other attributes (Kenny, 2016). He views it from a broad perspective because it looks out for the well-being and benefit of members living in an entire community. He states justice as anything that ensures everyone in the society is happy and contented. While judging if justice or injustice has occurred, the law has to be involved. Therefore, a look at a person’s will and intention will be able to give a fair verdict. However, Aristotle argues that the law cannot entirely be able to solve all matters related to justice (Kenny, 2016). An individual has to have some virtue of decency to help in setting things right. It is a form of wisdom that naturally allows one to understand that being fair to one another is more important than the law. 

Reference 

Kenny, A. (2016). The Aristotelian Ethics: A study of the relationship between the Eudemian and Nicomachean ethics of Aristotle. Oxford University Press.