Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer

Article Review (Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer) Name Institution Introduction The review of the article, “can we teach character? An Aristotelian Answer" provides a breakdown of the idea of ethics. The review of this article would also explain why it is important for people to have a good behavior in as far as living a good and moral life is concerned. In the article, Edwin M. Hartman, who is the author has explained clearly and eloquently how teaching business ethics as a course developer or instill the good behavior in students. The author points out in the article business ethics course teaches students about good manners as opposed to the principles of ethics. For instance, Mr. Hartman has argued that if a person behaves or conducts him/herself according to principles, it is not necessarily common that teaching a person principle of ethics would make him or her a better person. From the article, it is rather clear that the business ethics course provides students with an opportunity to learn about the foundations of what is wrong and right; however, for a person to do the right things or actions, he or she must equally have good morals. The essay would try to find out if the character can be taught within a set up of a classroom. The Background of the Article The article borrows a lot from the work of the famous and one of the renowned philosophers called Aristotle. For many years, people have asked if good character can be taught in a classroom. Due to the concerns that many people have had about teaching character, Aristotle sought to provide the answer to their concerns that most people have relied on when answering the question. Edwin M. Hartman borrowed or based his argument in the article on Aristotle’s answers. Aristotle is of the argument that one’s character is based on what he or she enjoys to do. He further argues that each substance, even the humankind possesses a certain essence together with a connected purpose or end. Therefore, for Hartman to explain that a good or moral character can be established or created in a person or students; he has based most of his opinions and ideas on the teachings and the beliefs of Aristotle together with other case studies explained in the article. Considering the fact that people believe that character is quite vital for individual's identity; a virtuous person should be one with good behaviors. Therefore, it is quite clear that Aristotle had put a lot of emphasis on the advantages of possessing the right or good character. The author is of the opinion that if a person lacks good character, there is a possibility that he or she would stray from the road of righteousness and would eventually live a life that has no virtue. Simply put, it is vital for the students to be taught about ethics as they will determine the kind of people they will be later in their lives. Summary of the Main Points of the Article Explanation of Ethics Hartman opines in this section of the article that it is important to teach business ethics courses, and why it is necessary for the students to understand the meaning of the subject and how it might make them become people of good characters. There ...