Today in class, we talked about Aristotle's views and the Golden Mean. With the Golden Mean, we see that we should find a balance between the two extremes of a certain virtue. For example, the Golden Mean of Courage is the balance between recklessness and cowardice, with courage or bravery being the desirable outcome. With these virtues, however, the Golden Mean is relative. I feel that Aristotle is saying that everyone has a different version of what would be the Golden Mean of their virtues. One person could be more or less courageous than the next, but that person would still be courageous. Everyone has a different opinion on what courage could be. With some, it is being brave to the point of recklessness and for others, they have not had the chance to develop their courage.
Your virtues are not innate, they do not come biologically programmed into your mind. You must develop these virtues the same way you would develop any other skill: by practice. I agree with Aristotle when he says that if you have not had the experience of having to practice a virtue, then you can not really say that you possess that virtue. I feel that you can not be honest without having practiced being honest in various situations. In order to be ascribed a certain virtue (honestly, loyalty, bravery) you must act it out or participate in an experience in which you would be required to develop this trait. Like the swimming example given in class, are you really a swimmer if you have never actually gotten in the water to swim? Therefore, are you actually brave, honest, or loyal if you've never practiced these traits?
All in all, if you are to be said to have virtue, you must practice those virtues. In order to practice said virtues you must be put in a position in which those virtues must be used. You can not be loyal or honest or brave without ever having had to be loyal or honest or brave. When you find those virtues, you must also find your Golden Mean. What is the ideal balance of your virtues? This is what Aristotle believes you must do in order to be virtuous.
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ReplyDeleteJessica, I agree with your explanation. I think that in order for us to learn any virtue (ex. honesty), we must first practice it. We cannot say that we possess them if we have never put those virtues to practice. We must also learn how to balance those virtues, and that also takes practice. Like you said, not all of us will have the exact same mean because we all view things differently, but it should be there if we possess that virtue. Over all, I agree with Aristotle, and this sums it all up; to do good is to be good.
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