Question

arstotles virtue of thought and virtue of character examples

Answer 1

Aristotle’s concept of virtues being a mean between two extremes is an interesting and well-accepted idea. Basically, he theorizes that every virtue, both of character and thought, is the middle ground between two extreme vices, which he refers to as the deficiency or the excess. This scale of virtues is a way for Aristotle to explain to the reader the exact definition of the virtue at hand, and also provides the reader a way to gauge the exact importance of said virtue. For example, the virtue of Temperance, which moderates pleasures, is described by Aristotle to be the mean between the excess of intemperance and the deficiency of sensibility. In using this way of explanation, Aristotle provides the reader with a valid interpretation of the level of virtue. Two perfect examples of this description of means and extremes are the virtues of Bravery and Magnanimity. These two virtues, both deliberative, rational virtues, are concerned with a person’s inner soul and the appropriate actions that a person should take to achieve happiness and a good soul.Bravery, as described by the philosopher, is the mean between the extremes of the vices of being rash and cowardice. It can also be described as the median virtue between fearfulness and confidence. According to Aristotelian teachings, there are several seemingly brave actions, including compulsion, or being forced to be brave, knowledge and experience, such as the actions of a seasoned soldier, actions of spirited or angry individuals, and the actions of those who are ignorant of the true dangers they are facing. These acts, while seemingly brave, are actually the opposite, as the true meaning of a virtue is the reflection of the rational part of one’s soul seeking what is truly good, rather then the non rational part of ones soul forcing bravery through one of the above mentioned actions.