Aristotle believes that, in order to attain virtues, one must achieve a golden mean. This concept states that every virtue is a balance between two vices. Having a deficiency of a virtue will result in a vice, and having an excess of a virtue will also result in a vice.
Virtues can vary from culture to culture, but in general, many hold some of the same core values.
EXCERPTS from Nichomachean Ethics
"These virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions ... The good of man is a working of the soul in the way of excellence in a complete life."
-Aristotle
Just like the stoics, he believes that virtue is in our control:
“Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act...”
-Aristotle
He believes that not doing anything, standing idly by, you will not achieve virtue. It's something that needs to be worked towards.
-Aristotle
Just like the stoics, he believes that virtue is in our control:
“Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act...”
-Aristotle
He believes that not doing anything, standing idly by, you will not achieve virtue. It's something that needs to be worked towards.
Aristotle defines moral virtue as the disposition to behave in the right manner, and as a mean between extremes of deficiency and excess, which are the vices. Moral virtue is primarily learned through habit and practice, rather than through reasoning and instruction.