Aristotle’s theory of virtue and character development

In contrast to thinkers preaching altruism and self-sacrifice, the theory of virtue developed by Aristotle (384-322 BC) aims at the achievement of happiness. Similarly, Aristotle regarded character development as a tool for facilitating happiness. Aristotle wrote two treatises presenting his theory of virtue and character development, namely, the “Nicomachean Ethics” and the “Eudemian Ethics.” He wrote or dictated those two works in the years between 335 BC and 321 BC, while he was teaching at the Lyceum, the school he had opened in Athens. According to Aristotle, the practice of virtues (which he had defined as habits that lead to achievement and happiness) helps not only the individual, but also society as a whole. Nonetheless, the primary addressee of Aristotelian ethics is the individual, not society. Individuals benefit directly if they practise courage, honesty, diligence, promptness, persistence, justice, benevolence, generosity, and other rational virtues. Society draws benefits when people practise rational virtues in pursuit of their own happiness, but has no right to demand altruism and self-sacrifice. Aristotle regarded courage, honesty, and justice as selfish virtues that end up benefiting everybody. Aristotle considered character development an essential part of education. Schools should teach not only facts such as those in history, geography, physics, and biology. It is crucial that schools also help students develop good habits (virtues) and a character or personality that leads to happiness. In the “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle stated that the main goal of wisdom is to differentiate good from evil. If you make virtuous choices, you will achieve happiness. If you don’t, you will suffer the consequences. Character development aims at making virtuous decisions automatically. Through learning and constant practice, the students should develop courage, honesty, justice and all other rational virtues, so that they become second nature to them. A person of character will make good choices automatically, except in exceedingly complex cases where it’s not clear which side to choose. Character development doesn’t guarantee a total absence of mistakes, but when mistakes do occur, those will be identified and amended. Aristotle’s philosophy of virtue and character development is profoundly different from the philosophy of Plato (429-347 BC). Plato had outlined his ideas on virtue and ethics in his work “The Republic,” where he considered virtue as a state of harmony between reason, spirit and basic instincts, with reason playing the governing role. In contrast to Aristotle, Plato had not regarded happiness as the primary goal of human life. Plato’s theory of virtue and character development is driven by enlightenment or revelation of mystical knowledge, not by happiness. According to Plato, knowledge is deposited in an intangible, mystic world of pure abstractions (which he called “the world of forms”). A person grows wise only if he gains access to the world of forms. In the absence of access, he is condemned to ignorance and frequent errors. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/aristotles-theory-of-virtue-and-character-development/