Philosophy-Education
Aristotle about Virtue.
The Pursuit of Happiness.
Aristotle contends that the essential component of a fulfilling life is happiness. In his writing “Ethics,” he emphasizes pursuing happiness over developing individual morality. He asserts that cultivating virtue is the sole method to establish the foundation for a joyous and content life.
Aristotle’s ethical framework delineates two types of virtue: intellectual and moral. Intellectual virtue, tied to mental prowess, is honed through education, experience, and time. In contrast, linked to action, moral virtue is the outcome of habitual behavior. Aristotle’s primary aim is to elucidate the path to virtue. This is accomplished by adhering to the principle of the mean, a practical guidepost determined by an individual’s logic and judgment, offering a tangible framework for developing virtue.
While intellectual virtues, due to their elevated status, are impervious to excess and deficiency, moral virtues necessitate external guidance to achieve equilibrium. They are determined by societal norms, common sense, and rationality, underscoring the social and logical dimensions of Aristotle’s ethical philosophy. Aristotle’s aim was to establish reliable standards for identifying the golden mean, a crucial element of virtue.
