Virtues are only acquired through the habituation of doing the right things voluntarily. Aristotle also believed that a person doing the right thing and reaching the mean of a virtue should be brought pleasure by their actions. In a class discussion we defined character as the sum of all of our virtues, combined with how we use those virtues to influence our decisions and actions. The virtues I found most applicable in this case study are: integrity, humility, and loyalty. Integrity is a very influential virtue in this case, as
Can a character trait be taught? Or is Virtue something that comes from within not from the outside. The Nature of teaching is very factual its imprinting ideas on a person. In school we are taught knowledge knowledge of the world. Teaching cannot teach us Virtues.
A virtue is when a person behaves in a moral manner. Certain virtues that societies should possess can be harmful. Typically, good virtues, such as honor, courage, and compassion. are commonly used by people as a way of living. Every society should live by the good virtues and strive to ensure that all citizens are treated equally.
The great-souled man finds the mean If we are interested in practicing the virtues, is important to define virtuous conduct. Consider the vice that exists in both excess and deficiency. While bravery is a virtue of character, one can act with too much bravery, and be reckless, or too little bravery, and be cowardly. Virtuous conduct lies in finding the mean: “The manner one ought is both a mean and the best thing, which is what belongs to virtue” (29:1106b23-24).
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Book ll, is about his idea of how people should live a virtuous life. Throughout this book, he explains that humans learn virtue from instructions and we learn virtue from practice too. Virtue is something that is very important because it is a moral habit that results in keeping our moral values. Aristotle believed that nobody is born with virtue, everyone has to work at it daily. After reading Nicomachean ethics, Book ll, my main conclusion of it is that us as humans are better off being virtuous than simply doing what we feel like doing at any moment in time.
A virtue is a habit that perfects the powers of the soul and disposes you to do good. Through the goodness of God, humans have grace, which allows them to do the right thing. As humans, we need God’s guidance and wisdom to recognize the value of the right thing. Catholics believe that virtues prepare people to recognize and accept God’s grace. Jean Vanier, a Catholic philosopher and humanitarian, is a great example of a virtuous person.
According to Aristotle, virtue is defined as a disposition to behave in the right manner and exists as a state between two extremes: deficiency and excess. These extremes are vices. For example, when donating to a charity, you should be doing so for the right reason, and not for personal gain. Aristotle also would say that it would be unwise to donate an insignificant amount, say a penny, but also not your entire life savings. In this case, donating a penny represents an extreme deficiency, while donating your entire life savings represents an extreme excess.
Out of the Silent Planet What is virtue? Merriam-Webster defines virtue as morally good behavior or character. So how does one become truly virtuous? Must they simply avoid evil or morally wrong behavior? Or must virtue be an active choice?
Virtue is defined in many ways. Some say that it comes from the Latin word ‘virtus’, meaning virtue or courage, which comes from the other Latin word ‘vir’, which means man, meaning that virtue is the qualities of a man, such as courage. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines virtue as, “conformity to a standard of right [and/or] a particular moral excellence” (Merriam-Webster 899). With all these definitions floating around, it is hard to determine what virtues really is and what it really means to have virtue. In Plato’s Meno, Socrates and Meno discuss the definition of virtue and whether it can be taught.
A virtuous man is one who has been trained since childhood, a person who is rational and can control their impulses. A good person will always behave in a virtuous manner. Aristotle mentions two types of virtues, on relating to wisdom and one relating to character. Virtues of wisdom come by through teachings. These are things that can be learned through study.
In the reading, “Virtue," Aristotle argues that humans ultimately want to live a happy and well-lived life (pp. 310-311), and the main way humans achieve this is through virtue (pp. 311-312), which serves as a mean to the extremes of excess and the extreme of deficiency (pp. 315-317). One of the author’s main reasons to support his view is that human happiness is the highest good for all people, but the definition as to what happiness is varies (pp. 310). Aristotle considers virtue an activity of the soul, as it is the means of obtaining happiness (pp.312). Another main reason Aristotle presents to support his view is that people look at those who live a good, virtuous life and emulate those virtuous acts so they too could live a well-lived
We seek out for people for different purposes, and this affects which virtues are relevant. For example, in looking for an auto mechanic, we want someone who is skilful, honest and conscientious. But we also assess people as people in a more general way, so we also have the concept of a good person which is known as moral virtues. In compliance to this, there is an arisen question on what the virtues are and which traits of character should be cultivated in human beings.
Though, a virtuous person will be in the mean which lies between extremes of excess and deficiency. That person will neither be a coward or reckless. This ability doesn’t come inherently, and the person will need persistent teachings and logical control over their feelings. After these accomplishments are met, then
Intellectual virtues which come from practical and theoretical wisdom. This requires experience and knowing the right way to do the right thing. This is reason in the strict sense. Then there are virtues of character e.g. courage and generosity i.e. moral virtues. and play a crucial role in perfecting our desires and emotions e.g. fear and greed, that we can become victim too.
Aristotle claimed that virtues are ‘hexis’ – often translated into ‘habit’. Many dispute this translation and prefer to use the term ‘disposition’. Whatever the translation we use, he seems to be referring to us having the ‘appropriate feelings’ in the face of particular situations. Aristotle claims that ethical virtues involve a median between two extremes. On one side of the spectrum we find deficiencies, and on the other excess.
