Virtue as a Mean

Definition

Virtue as a mean is the ethical concept that suggests moral virtues exist as balanced states between extremes of excess and deficiency. This idea is foundational to virtue ethics, emphasizing that achieving moral character involves finding the right balance in behavior and emotions, leading to a well-rounded, virtuous life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concept of virtue as a mean originates from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, where he argues that virtues are not innate but developed through practice and experience.
2. Aristotle identified specific virtues such as courage, temperance, and generosity, each situated between two opposing vices—such as cowardice and recklessness for courage.
3. Understanding virtue as a mean encourages individuals to reflect on their actions and emotions to find balance rather than adhering strictly to rules or consequences.
4. This principle is not just about moderation; it acknowledges that different situations may require different responses while still aiming for the virtuous mean.
5. Virtue ethics, with its focus on character and moral virtues, contrasts sharply with consequentialist theories that prioritize outcomes over the morality of actions themselves.

Review Questions

• How does the idea of virtue as a mean relate to the development of moral character?
  • The idea of virtue as a mean is crucial to developing moral character because it guides individuals in striving for balance in their actions and emotions. By identifying extremes of excess and deficiency, individuals can cultivate virtues like courage or temperance by practicing moderation. This process emphasizes the importance of habituation in shaping one's character over time, fostering not just the right actions but also the right mindset.
• Evaluate how the concept of virtue as a mean can be applied in real-life situations to resolve ethical dilemmas.
  • Applying virtue as a mean in real-life situations involves assessing choices by considering the extremes involved. For example, when faced with a decision about honesty, one might weigh the excess of brutal honesty against the deficiency of deceitfulness. This evaluation encourages individuals to find a virtuous response that reflects balance—such as being candid but also compassionate—thus allowing for more nuanced ethical resolutions rather than rigid adherence to rules.
• Critically analyze the implications of adopting virtue ethics and the notion of virtue as a mean in contemporary moral philosophy.
  • Adopting virtue ethics and the notion of virtue as a mean has significant implications for contemporary moral philosophy by shifting focus from rigid ethical rules towards character development and situational context. This approach promotes flexibility in moral reasoning, acknowledging that complex human experiences often require nuanced understanding rather than black-and-white judgments. However, this shift may also raise challenges regarding subjectivity in determining what constitutes the 'mean' in diverse contexts, leading to debates about relativism versus universal standards in ethical practices.

Related terms

Eudaimonia: A Greek term often translated as 'flourishing' or 'well-being,' eudaimonia is the ultimate goal of human life in virtue ethics, representing a state achieved through virtuous living.

Golden Mean: The Golden Mean is Aristotle's specific formulation of virtue as a mean, which holds that moral virtues are positioned between two vices: one of excess and one of deficiency.

Moral Virtue: Moral virtue refers to positive traits or qualities that promote individual and collective good, acquired through habituation and consistent practice in aligning actions with the mean.