excellence of character = arete

! Virtue means nothing other than

excellence-in-action, arete a hidden competence

! Arete does not refer to an intrinsic capacity or ! Instead: it is in the performance of the action
that the excellence of character becomes real

what is the aim/object of virtue (arete)?

Answer: the mean (mesotes)

meaning 1: the mesotes is what is between two

extremes, excess and deciency
excess mean deciency

Remember: there is self-control no precise, quantitative test to impulsiveness indecisiveness

workaholic conscientious lazy

determine virtuous action, no universal test recklessness courage but prudential cowardice requires not mathematical judgment

Hence it is hard work to be virtuous, since in each case it is hard work to find what is the mean [mesotes], e.g., not everyone, but only one who knows, finds the midpoint in a circle. So also getting angry, or giving and spending money, is easy and anyone can do it; but doing it to the right person, in the right amount, at the right time, for the right end, and in the right way is no longer easy, nor can everyone do it. Hence, [doing these things] well is rare, praiseworthy, and fine (Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics , 1109a24).

what is the aim/object of virtue?

Answer: the mean (mesotes)

meaning 2: the mesotes is the best decision

or action that considers the particular situation based on excellent judgment ! the mesotes is a moving target ! it considers the particulars, the opportunities and constraints in the situation ! when consistently attained, the result is ourishing

who nds the mesotes?

incontinent: has excessive, base appetites and lacks control or mastery over oneself; actually, the appetites are in control continent: controls oneself, despite excessive, base appetites virtuous person: does not even have to control oneself because ones resolution has been so habituated to always rightly act

who nds the mesotes?

Answer: the virtuous person (phronimos) virtue = excellent character, arete virtue is not just a disposition to do the right

thing, virtue is a settled state of character (hexis)

this character is achieved through habituation

what does it take to nd the mesotes?

Answer: prudential judgment (phronesis) Because ethics is not an exact science, it

requires excellent judgment; how do we describe it?

wisdom, acumen, intelligence, perspective,

discernment, decisiveness, cleverness, insight, perceptiveness, foresight, astuteness, et cetera

what is the virtuous cycle?

to nd the mesotes ! hones phronesis a honed phronesis ! helps to nd the mesotes again to nd the mesotes more frequently ! sharpens phronesis even more a well-honed phronesis ! consistent attainment of the mesotes and so on... the result? ourishing what is this process called? habituation what is attained? a settled state of character