Aristotle’s Teachings of Habituations’ Importance in Virtues and the Good Countless discussions have stormed concerning what makes an action good and what constitutes being virtuous. A variety of different schools of thought attempt to explain where the good comes from; whether it is simply in human nature, if it stems from having strong religious faith, or if achieving the good is even obtainable. Aristotle proposes that even though humans have a tendency towards good character, a great deal of practice is involved to develop such a character. Ergo, experience and habituation is necessary to achieve the good. To fully do this, a thorough understanding of the good must be acquired. Aristotle also explores how prudence effects a truly virtuous
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Aristotle also considers the best good. This is that which is desired only for its’ own sake, and for the sake of which all other ends are desired (Kemerling). However, the good of humans cannot be determined through an exact science since this process begins with general principles and forms conclusions. From an ethical standpoint, to evaluate what is good, we must begin with moral judgements before general principles can be reached. Happiness, Aristotle argues, is a complete and sufficient good (Aristotle 's Ethics). This means that happiness is desired only for itself, that the sake of nothing else is the reason for desiring it, that it is without evils, and it satisfies all desire. In this logic, moral virtue is not the end of life, that for which all is aimed, since misery and inactivity may accompany moral virtue. Thus, happiness is the best good. To be complete, happiness is an activity which involves both moral and intellectual reasoning. Happiness at times concerns external influences such as a life of gratification, money making, political action, and contemplation of study. Although …show more content…
Essentially, virtues are habits by which one acts only for the sake of that which is good. Aristotle views virtuous actions as those that represent correct reason. By Aristotle’s definition, virtue is the mean between the two extremes of excess and defect concerning a feeling or action as a practical and intelligent person would determine it (Kemerling). For example, the virtue of pride is the mean between the excess of vanity and the defect of humility. However, it is important to take into account that a mean is directly related to the individual and the circumstances; the level of pride varies for a politician, a sports athlete, and a military officer. Aristotle uses phronesis, the ability to see the correct course of action in a situation, to aid in understanding a mean. The nature of the mean is then complicated when considering the axiological dimension, which defines certain means as being an extreme. This definition may seem counterintuitive to the basis of Aristotle’s understanding of the mean, but analyzing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” provides the necessary logic to understand the axiological dimension (Aristotle 's Ethics). In his letter, Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks about how he was first disappointed when he was labeled an extremist; upon further examination, he realized that Jesus was also considered an extremist for love,
Aristotle also considers the best good. This is that which is desired only for its’ own sake, and for the sake of which all other ends are desired (Kemerling). However, the good of humans cannot be determined through an exact science since this process begins with general principles and forms conclusions. From an ethical standpoint, to evaluate what is good, we must begin with moral judgements before general principles can be reached. Happiness, Aristotle argues, is a complete and sufficient good (Aristotle 's Ethics). This means that happiness is desired only for itself, that the sake of nothing else is the reason for desiring it, that it is without evils, and it satisfies all desire. In this logic, moral virtue is not the end of life, that for which all is aimed, since misery and inactivity may accompany moral virtue. Thus, happiness is the best good. To be complete, happiness is an activity which involves both moral and intellectual reasoning. Happiness at times concerns external influences such as a life of gratification, money making, political action, and contemplation of study. Although …show more content…
Essentially, virtues are habits by which one acts only for the sake of that which is good. Aristotle views virtuous actions as those that represent correct reason. By Aristotle’s definition, virtue is the mean between the two extremes of excess and defect concerning a feeling or action as a practical and intelligent person would determine it (Kemerling). For example, the virtue of pride is the mean between the excess of vanity and the defect of humility. However, it is important to take into account that a mean is directly related to the individual and the circumstances; the level of pride varies for a politician, a sports athlete, and a military officer. Aristotle uses phronesis, the ability to see the correct course of action in a situation, to aid in understanding a mean. The nature of the mean is then complicated when considering the axiological dimension, which defines certain means as being an extreme. This definition may seem counterintuitive to the basis of Aristotle’s understanding of the mean, but analyzing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” provides the necessary logic to understand the axiological dimension (Aristotle 's Ethics). In his letter, Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks about how he was first disappointed when he was labeled an extremist; upon further examination, he realized that Jesus was also considered an extremist for love,