In order to understand the distinctiveness of Christian ethics we examine major movements and shifts in philosophical ethics. All items are intelligible only insofar as we understand their teleology-what they are aiming to be good at. For example, in The Republic , Plato argues that the existence of an ideal city is predicated on the reality of the universal form in a higher level. A proper education functions to develop each part of the soul to perform its natural function within the individual. Logic is a preparation to the study of these sciences.
Logic teaches one how to reason rightly so as to gain knowledge.
The general or universal can be apprehended only in the clearly known particular. Ethics for Aristotle is not a theoretical discipline but a discipline that is concerned with practice, that is, the conduct of the good human life. Right is defined in terms of those actions that are means to a good end. The task of ethics is to order the many things that may good for us in relationship to the highest good, happiness. Moral virtue involves the formation of character.