Aristotle argued that the ultimate purpose of life is happiness, and that it requires both reason and virtue to achieve it. He explains that excellence in reason is achieved through the virtues of the intellect and excellence in the irrational through the virtues of character, which can be achieved through practical wisdom and moderation.
According to Aristotle, the ultimate purpose of life is happiness, and humans should follow the virtues to achieve happiness. Virtue is the excellence of the functions that are unique to humans. According to him, human happiness consists in “excellence” in the activity of reason, that is, excellence in thinking and reasoning, which are the original functions of reason, as well as in the ability of the irrational part to obey the commands of reason.
Aristotle calls this excellence in thinking and reasoning the “virtue of intellect,” and it is cultivated through years of education and theoretical inquiry. The virtues of the intellect enable us to seek and understand truth and make sound judgments. This process fosters personal growth and ultimately contributes to a better society. On the other hand, excellence in the ability to subjugate the irrational parts of us, our emotions and desires, to the commands of reason, is called the virtue of character. According to him, the virtue of character is cultivated through constant practice. Therefore, humans should endeavor to choose the good in their desires, emotions, and actions in accordance with the commands of reason.
According to Aristotle, the virtue of character is “moderation. Moderation is a state of moderation, or optimum, in desires, emotions, and actions, where there is neither excess nor deficiency. This moderation may vary from time to time, situation to situation, object to object, motive to motive, purpose to purpose, or method to method. It is therefore a relative middle ground that is not the same for everyone. This means that moderation is case-specific and requires a discerning eye to see it correctly in each case. This discernment is cultivated through experience and learning, which is why individuals must continually mature through self-reflection and learning.
Practical wisdom is one of the virtues of the intellect, enabling us to know what is good and what is bad, and what the middle ground is in a particular situation. Practical wisdom, then, is essential to the virtue of character. The process by which we choose and decide what desires or feelings we should have and how we should act in accordance with the rational imperatives of practical wisdom is called deliberation. It is through this deliberation that we can arrive at moderation in our desires, emotions, and actions. Practical wisdom is not just the accumulation of knowledge, but the combination of judgment and action based on it.
Aristotle warns that following the virtues that are fundamental to happiness is not possible through knowledge alone, and emphasizes the importance of doing rather than just knowing. We attain virtue by actually practicing virtuous behavior. We become just by doing justice, and we become brave by doing brave deeds. These behaviors not only strengthen our personal virtue, but also contribute to raising the moral level of society as a whole.
Aristotle’s virtue ethics has important implications for the modern world. His teachings are not just ancient philosophy, but offer deep insights into today’s ethical issues and human relationships. His philosophy, which emphasizes rational activity and practical wisdom, still provides valid guidelines for how we can become better human beings and create a better world. His teachings suggest that human happiness and moral maturity are still goals worth pursuing.
