Aristotle's Virtue: The Golden Mean

Aristotle's Virtue: Finding the Balance

The main theme is that virtues such as temperance and courage can be destroyed by both defect and excess, and that finding a balance or proportion in their exercise is essential to their preservation and growth. The text uses the examples of strength and health, as well as cowardice and rashness, to illustrate this point.

Aristotle's Concept of Virtue

Aristotle's concept of virtue is central to his ethical philosophy. He believed that virtue was a habit or disposition that allowed a person to act in accordance with reason and to achieve their goals in life. Virtue, according to Aristotle, is a mean between two extremes: deficiency and excess.

Examples of the Golden Mean

For example, the virtue of courage is a mean between the extremes of cowardice (deficiency) and rashness (excess). A courageous person will not run away from danger when it is necessary to face it, but they will also not recklessly seek out danger without good reason.

Another example is the virtue of honesty. This virtue is a mean between the extremes of dishonesty (deficiency) and bluntness (excess). An honest person will not lie or deceive others, but they will also not be excessively blunt or hurtful in their speech.

Developing Virtuous Habits

Aristotle believed that virtues were developed through practice and habituation. By repeatedly acting in accordance with reason and the mean, a person could develop virtuous habits and become a virtuous person. He also believed that virtues were interconnected and that a person could not be truly virtuous unless they possessed all the virtues in balance.

Summary of Aristotle's Virtue

Overall, Aristotle's concept of virtue emphasizes the importance of finding a balance in one's actions and developing virtuous habits through practice and self-discipline.

Other Ethical Concepts

• Ethics: A branch of philosophy that studies decision-making.
• Sophism: Associated with the Sophists; they believed that everyone has the right to speak and to be correct.
• Categorical Imperative: A rule that is true in all circumstances.
• Utilitarianism: An ethical theory that says that something is right or wrong depending on whether it produces the greatest amount of happiness for a greater number of people.
• Master Morality: Says we should all be masters of ourselves instead of being slaves.

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