Living a virtuous life is something that many of us strive for, but it can be difficult to know where to start.
Luckily, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, known for his wisdom and insight, has left us with a guide on how to live a virtuous life.
Aristotle believed that virtues are character traits that we can develop through practice and by following the example of moral exemplars. He also believed that each virtue is the “golden mean” between a vice of excess and deficiency.
In this article, we will explore Aristotle’s teachings on how to live a virtuous life and how to find the right balance between excess and deficiency.
Join us as we delve into the wisdom of Aristotle and learn how to live a more fulfilling and virtuous life.
How To Live A Virtuous Life Aristotle
To live a virtuous life according to Aristotle, one must first understand what virtues are and how they can be developed. Virtues are character traits that are beneficial to oneself and to others, such as honesty, kindness, and compassion. Aristotle believed that we can develop these virtues through practice and by following the example of moral exemplars.
However, Aristotle also believed that each virtue is the “golden mean” between a vice of excess and deficiency. This means that we must find the right balance between too much and too little of each virtue. For example, if we have too much courage, we may become reckless, but if we have too little courage, we may become cowardly.
To find this balance, Aristotle suggests that we must use our reason and judgment to determine the right amount of each virtue in every situation. This requires wisdom and experience, as every situation calls for a different amount of every virtue.
Aristotle also believed that living a virtuous life requires self-control. This means that we must control our emotions and impulses in order to act in accordance with our virtues. We must be honest, fair-minded, kind, and compassionate in all situations.
To develop self-control, Aristotle suggests that we must practice temperance. This means that we must learn to control our desires and impulses, especially those that lead us away from our virtues. By practicing temperance, we can develop the habit of self-control and become more virtuous individuals.
Finally, Aristotle believed that living a virtuous life requires a good community around us. We need the support of others who share our values and can help us develop our virtues. By surrounding ourselves with good people, we can learn from their example and receive feedback on our own behavior.
Introduction To Aristotle’s Philosophy Of Virtue
Aristotle’s philosophy of virtue is centered around the idea that virtues are character traits that can be developed through practice and by following the example of moral exemplars. Aristotle believed that virtues are the “golden mean” between a vice of excess and deficiency, and finding this balance requires wisdom and experience.
Living a virtuous life also requires self-control, which can be developed through the practice of temperance. This involves controlling our desires and impulses, especially those that lead us away from our virtues. Additionally, Aristotle believed that a good community is essential for living a virtuous life, as we need the support of others who share our values and can help us develop our virtues.
Understanding Virtues And The Golden Mean
Aristotle believed that virtues are not just abstract concepts, but rather they are practical qualities that we can develop through practice and experience. He notes that people often appeal to virtues such as courage, honor, justice, prudence, and generosity when guiding their behavior. However, Aristotle is less interested in blindly following such traits and more interested in establishing what makes them virtuous.
According to Aristotle, virtues are actually just examples of excellent rational activity. Those who exhibit courage, honor, justice, and the like are really just using reason well. This connection between virtue and reason is made clear when we recognize that all virtues lie in the middle way between two extreme states: excess and deficiency.
For example, courage is the middle way between cowardice (deficiency) and recklessness (excess). Confidence is the middle way between self-deprecation (deficiency) and arrogance (excess). Generosity is the middle way between stinginess (deficiency) and profligacy (excess).
Virtue lies not in the exact middle, but at the so-called “golden mean,” which will sometimes be closer to one extreme than the other. Aristotle believed that identifying the golden mean between excess and deficiency is something we can get better at over time. It requires wisdom and experience to determine the right amount of each virtue in every situation.
In order to live a virtuous life according to Aristotle, one must find the right balance between too much and too little of each virtue. This requires self-control and the practice of temperance. By controlling our desires and impulses, we can develop the habit of self-control and become more virtuous individuals.
Furthermore, Aristotle believed that living a virtuous life requires a good community around us. We need the support of others who share our values and can help us develop our virtues. By surrounding ourselves with good people, we can learn from their example and receive feedback on our own behavior.
Developing Virtues Through Practice
According to Aristotle, virtues are not innate qualities, but rather character traits that can be developed through practice. He believed that we can become more virtuous by following the example of moral exemplars and by practicing the virtues until they become habits.
Aristotle suggested that we must use reason and judgment to determine the right amount of each virtue in every situation. This requires wisdom and experience, as every situation calls for a different amount of every virtue. By practicing the virtues in different situations, we can develop our judgment and intuition, making it easier for us to act virtuously in the future.
To develop self-control, Aristotle recommended practicing temperance. This means that we must learn to control our desires and impulses, especially those that lead us away from our virtues. By practicing temperance, we can develop the habit of self-control and become more virtuous individuals.
Aristotle also believed that living a virtuous life requires a good community around us. We need the support of others who share our values and can help us develop our virtues. By surrounding ourselves with good people, we can learn from their example and receive feedback on our own behavior.
Finding Moral Exemplars To Follow
One way to develop our virtues and become moral exemplars ourselves is by following the example of others who have already achieved moral excellence. Aristotle believed that we can learn from the stories and narratives of those who have displayed outstanding moral careers.
However, it is important to choose the right moral exemplars to follow. The present study mentioned above tested whether motivation to engage in voluntary service as a form of moral behavior was better promoted by attainable and relevant exemplars or by unattainable and irrelevant exemplars. The results showed that stories of attainable exemplars more effectively promoted engagement in voluntary service compared with stories of unattainable exemplars and non-moral stories.
Therefore, when choosing moral exemplars to follow, it is important to choose those who are attainable and relevant to us. This could include peers, mentors, or positive influences in our lives. By following their example and learning from their experiences, we can develop our own virtues and become moral exemplars ourselves.
Balancing Excess And Deficiency In Virtues
Aristotle’s concept of the “golden mean” is crucial in understanding how to balance excess and deficiency in virtues. According to Aristotle, every virtue lies between two vices: one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example, courage is the mean between the excess of recklessness and the deficiency of cowardice.
To find this balance, we must use our reason and judgment to determine the right amount of each virtue in every situation. This requires wisdom and experience, as every situation calls for a different amount of every virtue. For example, a situation that requires assertiveness may call for more courage, while a situation that requires compassion may call for more kindness.
However, finding this balance is not always easy. We are often tempted to fall into the vices of excess or deficiency. This is because these vices provide short-term gratification, while living in the mean requires willpower and long-term thinking abilities.
Aristotle suggests that we can develop self-control by practicing temperance. This means that we must learn to control our desires and impulses, especially those that lead us away from our virtues. By practicing temperance, we can develop the habit of self-control and become more virtuous individuals.
In addition, Aristotle believed that living a virtuous life requires a good community around us. We need the support of others who share our values and can help us develop our virtues. By surrounding ourselves with good people, we can learn from their example and receive feedback on our own behavior.
Applying Aristotle’s Teachings To Daily Life
Applying Aristotle’s teachings to daily life can be a challenge, but it is possible with practice and dedication. One way to start is by identifying which virtues you want to develop and practicing them in your daily interactions with others. For example, if you want to develop kindness, you can make an effort to do something kind for someone every day.
Another way to apply Aristotle’s teachings is to practice self-reflection. Take some time each day to reflect on your actions and behavior, and think about how they align with your virtues. Ask yourself if you could have acted differently in certain situations, and how you can improve in the future.
It is also important to surround yourself with people who share your values and can provide support and guidance. Seek out friends, family members, or colleagues who embody the virtues you want to develop, and learn from their example.
Finally, remember that developing virtues takes time and effort. It is important to be patient with yourself and not get discouraged by setbacks or mistakes. Keep practicing and striving towards living a virtuous life, and eventually it will become a habit that comes naturally to you.
