Aristotle Virtue
There are many different lifestyles performed around us, but how do we know which lifestyle is right for us. More so, how do we know which lifestyles are those that are correct for human beings? According to Aristotle, to live a just and correct lifestyle we must use reasoning in our actions while also practicing those that are characteristics that are virtuous. Virtue being that of good character, good habits and being conducted by reason. Such virtues commonly known are courage or modesty. It is through a series of reasonable actions that form good character that we humans can find the lifestyle suited to us. Despite what pleasure we might abandon along the way, or what pain we may face as a result does not matter. Doing the right thing,
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“First of all then we have to observe, that moral qualities are so constituted as to be destroyed by excess and by deficiency.” (Nicomachean Ethics, page 77.) There is no such situation where a person can be too virtuous, because that would defeat the idea of virtue itself. Virtue is a mean of two extremes. If you can find your mean between the extremes then you have found the virtue. To do so, one must avoid those actions that permit more pleasure than pain. “An index of our disposition if afforded by the pleasure or pain that accompanies our actions.” (Nicomachean Ethics, page 79) For example, one who is courageous is neither a coward nor reckless. To be virtuous is to possess good habits and good character. There is no such thing as being too good. You only improve as a person the better you are, and as such, the idea that you can be too virtuous is preposterous. One cannot be a so good that they are bad. The two are antonyms for this exact reason. Much the same, the mean is at different levels depending on that individual. There is still individualism in virtue, as not all people can be expected to have the same amount of pain or pleasure granted for each action they take. “And if this is true of the general theory of ethics, still less is exact precision possible I dealing with particular cases of conduct; for these come under no science or professional tradition, but the agents themselves have to consider what is suited to the circumstances on each occasion.” (Nicomachean Ethics, page 77.) Living in virtue does not eliminate your individualism. It promotes happy living for yourself and society. Living by your impulses is not happiness, it is pleasure. Pleasure is a momentary sensation, and by no means near close to happiness in humanity. Humans are capable of a much greater happiness, and separation from the beasts only proves this fact. It is simple fact that their lifestyles are not happy, and any defense
“First of all then we have to observe, that moral qualities are so constituted as to be destroyed by excess and by deficiency.” (Nicomachean Ethics, page 77.) There is no such situation where a person can be too virtuous, because that would defeat the idea of virtue itself. Virtue is a mean of two extremes. If you can find your mean between the extremes then you have found the virtue. To do so, one must avoid those actions that permit more pleasure than pain. “An index of our disposition if afforded by the pleasure or pain that accompanies our actions.” (Nicomachean Ethics, page 79) For example, one who is courageous is neither a coward nor reckless. To be virtuous is to possess good habits and good character. There is no such thing as being too good. You only improve as a person the better you are, and as such, the idea that you can be too virtuous is preposterous. One cannot be a so good that they are bad. The two are antonyms for this exact reason. Much the same, the mean is at different levels depending on that individual. There is still individualism in virtue, as not all people can be expected to have the same amount of pain or pleasure granted for each action they take. “And if this is true of the general theory of ethics, still less is exact precision possible I dealing with particular cases of conduct; for these come under no science or professional tradition, but the agents themselves have to consider what is suited to the circumstances on each occasion.” (Nicomachean Ethics, page 77.) Living in virtue does not eliminate your individualism. It promotes happy living for yourself and society. Living by your impulses is not happiness, it is pleasure. Pleasure is a momentary sensation, and by no means near close to happiness in humanity. Humans are capable of a much greater happiness, and separation from the beasts only proves this fact. It is simple fact that their lifestyles are not happy, and any defense