Overview
This lecture summarizes Aristotle's discussion of moral virtue in Book Two, focusing on the nature of virtue, the development of good character, and the principle of the mean.
Nature and Acquisition of Moral Virtue
- Aristotle distinguishes moral virtue from broader concepts like wisdom, justice, and honor.
- Moral virtue is not innate but arises from habits shaped by actions.
- Humans have natural capacities that are developed through repeated behaviors.
- One becomes just or brave by consistently performing just or brave actions.
- Virtue is acquired during the act, not before or after.
Habits and Character Formation
- Character is determined by habitual actions, not isolated deeds.
- Monitoring and cultivating habits is crucial to developing virtue.
- Virtues are closely related to pleasure and pain; the right response to these is key.
Assessing Virtue and Character
- Actions alone do not fully reveal character; the motive and feeling matter.
- Virtue involves appropriate emotional responses and pleasure or pain taken in actions.
- Fleeing danger is not always cowardice; context and proportionality are important.
Defining Virtue and the Mean
- Virtues are states of the soul: emotions, capacities, or dispositions.
- Moral evaluation applies to dispositions, not emotions or capacities alone.
- A good disposition causes excellence in performance and makes one good.
- Virtue is found in the mean between excess and deficiency (vices).
- Example: Courage is the mean between cowardice (deficiency) and rashness (excess).
- The mean is not always exactly midway; it depends on the situation.
Exceptions and Always Bad Traits
- Some emotions (malice, shamelessness, jealousy) and actions (adultery, theft, murder) are always bad.
- These acts and emotions are inherently excessive or deficient and have no mean.
Practical Guidance for Developing Virtue
- Avoid the extreme that more opposes the mean (e.g., steer away from overindulgence).
- Recognize and compensate for your personal tendencies toward certain vices.
- Be cautious with pleasure, as it can cloud judgment and self-control.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Moral Virtue — Excellence in character developed through habit and practiced actions.
- Mean — The optimal state between excess and deficiency for a given trait.
- Disposition — A lasting tendency to respond emotionally or behaviorally in certain ways.
- Vice — A fault or flaw arising from too much or too little of a trait.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on your habits and identify areas for improvement towards virtuous behavior.
- Observe situations where pleasure may influence your actions and practice self-regulation.