Virtue ethics is a philosophy that has been around for centuries, and one of its most prominent figures is Aristotle. He believed that virtues and vices are acquired through repetition, and that by practicing virtues such as honesty, bravery, and generosity, a person can develop a moral character.
But how exactly did Aristotle think that virtue could be acquired?
In this article, we will explore his ideas and delve into the concept of teleology, the role of habit in conduct, and the importance of achieving good character.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of Aristotle’s virtue ethics.
How Did Aristotle Think That Virtue Could Be Acquired
Aristotle believed that virtues are not innate, but rather acquired through practice. He argued that by repeatedly practicing virtuous habits, a person can develop an honorable and moral character. This character-based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through habituation.
Aristotle used the word hexis to denote moral virtue. This word does not merely mean passive habituation, but rather an active condition, a state in which something must actively hold itself. Virtue, therefore, manifests itself in action. An action counts as virtuous when one holds oneself in a stable equilibrium of the soul, in order to choose the action knowingly and for its own sake. This stable equilibrium of the soul is what constitutes character.
Achieving good character is a process of clearing away the obstacles that stand in the way of the full efficacy of the soul. For Aristotle, moral virtue is the only practical road to effective action. What the person of good character loves with right desire and thinks of as an end with right reason must first be perceived as beautiful. Hence, the virtuous person sees truly and judges rightly, since beautiful things appear as they truly are only to a person of good character.
Aristotle was a teleologist because he believed that every object has a final cause or purpose. The Greek term telos refers to what we might call a purpose, goal, end or true final function of an object. Aristotle’s claim is essentially that in achieving its function, goal or end, an object achieves its own good. Every object has this type of a true function and so every object has a way of achieving goodness.
Similarly, Aristotle believed that human beings have a telos or purpose. He identified what the good for a human being is in virtue of working out what the function of a human being is, as per his Function Argument. According to Aristotle, the function of a human being is to reason and live a life of moral character. By practicing virtues, a person can achieve their telos and live a good life.
Teleology And Virtue Ethics
Teleology is the study of purpose or end goals. Aristotle’s teleological approach to ethics centers around the idea that human beings have a specific purpose or telos. According to Aristotle, our telos is to reason and live a life of moral character. Virtue ethics, therefore, is concerned with developing a good character in order to achieve our telos and live a good life.
Aristotle believed that virtues are not innate, but rather acquired through practice. He argued that by repeatedly practicing virtuous habits, a person can develop an honorable and moral character. This character-based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through habituation. Virtue, therefore, manifests itself in action.
Achieving good character is a process of clearing away the obstacles that stand in the way of the full efficacy of the soul. For Aristotle, moral virtue is the only practical road to effective action. What the person of good character loves with right desire and thinks of as an end with right reason must first be perceived as beautiful. Hence, the virtuous person sees truly and judges rightly, since beautiful things appear as they truly are only to a person of good character.
In order to achieve our telos and live a good life, we must practice virtues such as courage, honesty, and kindness. By practicing these virtues repeatedly, we can develop a stable equilibrium of the soul and hold ourselves in order to choose virtuous actions knowingly and for their own sake.
The Role Of Habit In Developing Virtue
Aristotle believed that virtues are not innate, but rather acquired through practice. He argued that by repeatedly practicing virtuous habits, a person can develop an honorable and moral character. This character-based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through habituation.
The role of habit in developing virtue is crucial, as Aristotle believed that virtues are not simply intellectual capacities, but rather dispositions to act in certain ways in response to similar situations – the habits of behaving in a certain way. Good conduct arises from habits that can only be acquired by repeated action and correction. This makes ethics an intensely practical discipline.
Aristotle believed that each of the virtues is a state of being that naturally seeks its mean relative to us. The virtuous habit of action is always an intermediate state between the opposed vices of excess and deficiency: too much and too little are always wrong; the right kind of action always lies in the mean. Achieving good character is a process of clearing away the obstacles that stand in the way of the full efficacy of the soul.
In order to develop virtuous habits, one must actively practice them. By practicing being honest, brave, just, generous, and so on, a person develops an honorable and moral character. According to Aristotle, by honing virtuous habits, people will likely make the right choice when faced with ethical challenges. This means that developing virtuous habits is not only important for personal growth but also for making ethical decisions that benefit society as a whole.
Aristotle’s Concept Of The Golden Mean
A vital facet of Aristotle’s virtue theory is the Golden Mean. This means finding the balance between two extremes, which Aristotle believed was the best way to live in society. Extremes of character are unhelpful, as someone who is too assertive can cause others to lose their confidence. Aristotle believed that the virtue is to be found between two vices, each of which involves either an excess or deficiency of the true virtue. For example, if you were to witness a robbery, the coward does not have enough courage and thus would do nothing, while the foolhardy just runs into danger regardless of the situation. The person who holds the mean (courage) will act in the most virtuous way.
Aristotle said that the difference between virtue and vice in both emotions and actions was a matter of balance and extremes. However, it is not as simple as just applying the virtue. One must apply phronesis (practical wisdom) to decide on the best course of action depending on the situation. Phronesis, according to Aristotle, is gained as we grow up and move away from rules and subsequently allows us to adapt to a more autonomous, person-centered and virtue-centered morality.
It is important to note that applying the Golden Mean does not mean finding a mathematical average between two extremes. Rather, it involves using practical wisdom to determine what constitutes an appropriate balance in any given situation. The Golden Mean is not a rigid formula but rather a flexible guideline that allows for individual circumstances and context.
The Importance Of Achieving Good Character
Aristotle believed that achieving good character is essential for living a good life. He argued that moral virtue is the only practical road to effective action, and that a person must practice virtuous habits in order to develop an honorable and moral character. This character-based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through habituation.
Aristotle believed that achieving good character is a process of clearing away the obstacles that stand in the way of the full efficacy of the soul. By practicing virtues, a person can clear away these obstacles and achieve a stable equilibrium of the soul. This stable equilibrium is what constitutes character, and it allows a person to choose actions knowingly and for their own sake.
Moreover, Aristotle believed that achieving good character is necessary for perceiving beauty and judging rightly. A person of good character sees truly and judges rightly, since beautiful things appear as they truly are only to a person of good character. Therefore, achieving good character is not only necessary for living a good life, but also for perceiving and appreciating the beauty in the world around us.
Virtue Ethics In Modern Society: Relevance And Criticisms
Virtue ethics has experienced a revival in the twentieth century, with many scholars and thinkers exploring its relevance in modern society. One of the main criticisms of virtue ethics is that it provides a self-centered conception of ethics, as it focuses on human flourishing as an end in itself and does not sufficiently consider the impact of our actions on other people. Additionally, virtue ethics does not provide clear guidance on how we should act, as there are no universal principles for guiding action beyond “act as a virtuous person would act given the situation.”
However, proponents of virtue ethics argue that it offers a more holistic and nuanced approach to morality. Rather than focusing solely on rules or consequences, virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of character and cultivating virtuous habits. This can lead to a more thoughtful and reflective approach to decision-making, as individuals strive to act in accordance with their values and ideals.
Furthermore, the ethics of care – a branch of virtue ethics proposed predominately by feminist thinkers – challenges traditional notions of morality by emphasizing the importance of caring and nurturing relationships. This can be seen as particularly relevant in modern society, where issues such as social justice and environmental sustainability require a more compassionate and interconnected approach.
Overall, while virtue ethics may not offer clear-cut answers to ethical dilemmas, it provides a valuable framework for developing moral character and making thoughtful decisions. Its relevance in modern society is evidenced by its continued exploration and development by scholars and thinkers across various disciplines.
