Aristotle Rationality

The Importance between the Balance of Rationality and the Desires in Aristotle’s Understanding of Virtue in Nichomachean Ethics

This philosophical study will define the importance of the balance of rationality and the desires through Aristotle’s definition of virtue in Nichomachean Ethics. Aristotle’s view of virtue relies heavily on the rationality of the individual as a means in which to raise themselves above base desires in personal behaviors. These various behaviors (Courage, Temperance, Liberality, etc.) define the balance of human actions, which moderate the baser desires of deficient behaviors, such as Cowardice, Insensibility, and Meanness. Aristotle does not condone human desire, but he illustrates the necessity of repetition and …show more content…
More so, the importance of defining the hierarchy of individual actions through rationality is defined in the various levels of consciousness in externalities (material goods), the soul, and the body. These aspects of Aristotle’s theory define the parameters of behavior and the influence that it has on human actions on a daily basis,. In many cases, the cultivation of virtue must involve a continual practice of moderation as a vehicle to control desires. Aristotle is aware of the necessity of body, mind, and soul interaction, yet he also understands that human beings can control their desires through the use of logic and scientific evaluations of these measurements of behavior. This is an important reason why he feels it is a scientific approach to maintaining higher order virtues through the balance of the rational mind and the desires. These features define the combination of these aspects of the human condition, which must be regulated. Aristotle utilizes these aspects of human life to define the varying degrees of desire and rational thought that can be achieved through a balanced lifestyle, but more importantly, how the “good” is defined in this hierarchy of …show more content…
In Nichomachean Ethics, the use of a scientific approach to various behaviors of excess, the mean, and the deficiency defines the necessity of continued moderation of the desires through rationality. Aristotle sought to utilize this rational method of practicing virtue in family by understanding the various hierarchies of mind, body, and soul that could be merged to live a happy life. These hierarchies define the underlying aspects of virtue, which can be interpreted relatively through various social traditions and differing standards of what is right and wrong. However, Aristotle does attempt to justify “universal” laws of truth, which can be applied through moderating the desires through rational thought. Therefore, the balance of human emotions is the goal of attaining the greater good and purity of the soul, which illustrates the dynamic ways in which this can be achieved. Aristotle provides a scientific approach to the management and moderation of virtues, which demands daily practice and reinforcement to remove the threat of extreme desire. This early development in Greek philosophical thought defines the importance of balancing rationality and desires through Aristotle’s structuring of accepted behaviors in the human condition. The goal of living the happiest life and following the