excellence of character = arete

Virtue means nothing other than

excellence-in-action, arete
Arete does not refer to an intrinsic capacity or
a hidden competence
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 deficiency

excess mean deficiency

Remember: there is self-control
impulsiveness no precise, quantitative test to
indecisiveness
determine virtuous action, no universal test
recklessness courage but prudential
requires not mathematical cowardice
judgment
workaholic conscientious lazy
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
flourishing
 who finds 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 finds 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 find 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 find the mesotes hones phronesis

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