Aristotle's Theories of Responsibility and Choice

For one to develop moral character, one must rely on the praise and blame of other individuals and use this feedback to reflect on their own actions. We praise those with a virtuous character while we blame characters without such virtues. Aristotle examines the moral evaluation process by introducing identifiers that distinguish that which we can truly hold other persons responsible for. First, Aristotle finds the source for which praise and blame can be used. …

…If a person has no control over the kind of moral education they are able to receive, Aristotle would argue that they cannot be held responsible for the kind of moral character that they have. Furthermore, any kind of incapacity to aim at the correct virtues removes responsibility from that individual. IV. Choice/Deliberation Voluntary Action V. Responsibility for Virtue Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them. --Aristotle