what do you think is the most important part of aristotles virtue ethics theory?

Answer 1

I can not at this moment grasp a 'part' that is higher in value than any other part, especially as I am not reading from the orginal nor translated text, but a commentary review of Hegel for Aristotle study. I believe the two excerpts convey the essence.

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/works/hp/hparistotle.htm

Hegel’s Lectures on the History of Philosophy

B. Aristotle.


a. Ethics (two excerpts of the whole follow)

(1) "We have three great ethical works: the Nicomachean Ethics (Hqika Nikomaceia) in ten books, the Magna Moralia (Hqika megala) in two books, and the Eudemean Ethics (Hqika Eudhmia) in seven books; the last deals for the most part with particular virtues, while in the first two general investigations on the principles are contained. Just as the best that we oven now possess in reference to psychology is what we have obtained from Aristotle, so is it with his reflections on the actual agent in volition, on freedom, and the further determinations of imputation, intention, &c. We must simply give ourselves the trouble to understand these, and to translate them into our own form of speech, conception and thought; and this is certainly difficult. Aristotle follows the same course here as in his Physics, determining one after the other, in the most thorough and accurate fashion, the many moments which appear in desire: the purpose, the decision, voluntary or forced action. the act of ignorance, guilt, moral responsibility, &c. I cannot enter upon this somewhat psychological presentation of the subject. I shall only make the following remarks on the Aristotelian definitions."

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(2) "In regard to the conception of virtue I should like to say something more. From a practical point of view, Aristotle’ first of all distinguishes in soul a rational and an irrational side; in the latter reason only exists potentially; under it come the feelings, passions and affections. On the rational side understanding, wisdom, discretion, knowledge, have their place; but they still do not constitute virtue, which first subsists in the unity of the rational and the irrational sides. When the inclinations are so related to virtue that they carry out its dictates, this, according to Aristotle, is virtue. When the perception is either bad or altogether lacking, but the heart is good, good — will may be there, but not virtue, because the principle — that is reason — which is essential to virtue, is wanting."

Additional: "Aristotle 384-322 BC
http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/a/r.htm#aristotle

Encyclopaedic philosopher and founder of science of logic and several other branches of science. Marx called him the greatest thinker of antiquity; wavered between materialism and idealism; recognised four "prime causes" - matter (passive possibility of becoming), form (essence, activity), the beginning of motion and aim; regarded nature as successive transitions from "matter" to "form" and back; saw logical forms as forms of Being, a view which is close to consistent materialism; in theory of knowledge distinguished between Established (apodictic) and Probable (opinion) truth, connected by Language."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/a/aristotl.htm#H7

Answer 2

The Golden Mean and the distinction between moral and intellectual virtues is certainly prominent in Aristotelian ethics.

Answer 3

in accordance to Aristotle, distinctive characteristic lies between the two extremes. He suggested rather some examples which i can not bear in mind precise now. yet i think of this theory works in maximum circumstances, nonetheless no longer continually.