Aristotle: Intellectual Virtue in the exciting Nicomachean Ethics and how to shape our character (Part Two)

"The true honor is that which results from the exercise of Virtue and the fulfillment of one's duties."

Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos.

Can man really achieve happiness? Can you, through your actions, ensure optimal well-being? Can you really direct your actions to achieve Virtue through reasoning ?

In the previous article, we began to apply applied philosophy of the book "Ethics to Nicomachus" by Aristotle. Those who are interested, can download this work here.

We talked about the Aristotelian conception of Eudaimonia, the importance of Virtue and the possibility of man forging his character .

We saw that Aristotle makes a difference between Moral and Intellectual Virtue .

In addition, we talk about the role that pleasure and pain play in all this.

But before, at the beginning of the previous article, we mentioned something important. Aristotle as the thinker of the Middle Fair .

What is the right medium

When Aristotle tells us about Virtue, we see that it allows us to mold what causes us pleasure and pain . But both in one sensation and in the other we have a wide range of nuances that must be taken into account. The proportion of pleasure and pain is not enough to distinguish the virtuous from the vicious, since shaping desire admits both possibilities.

Virtue is midway between the extremes that, in turn, is relative to each one.

Take for example courage. It may be that for a person, climbing to a high place may be a fear. A paratrooper, on the other hand, will have no problem in performing the same action. It is in the first case, then, that the action merits courage, even if the two people are doing the same .

So, the act of Virtue varies from person to person. If we act in response to a given situation, it is the wise man who responds appropriately and virtuously between the extremes.

It is clear that some actions do not support midpoints. How to steal.

Now, we know that not every action denotes Virtue in man. What action can be judged then?

Aristà te says that only that action will be voluntary . In this way, everything that is done by compulsion or ignorance is excused.

We speak then of the voluntary nature of the action . The acts that are relevant at the moral level will then be those that man performs by his own will.

Intellectual Virtue

We know that a good life does not correspond to that in which a list of results is given. And in addition, we understand the importance of the sentimental state with which it transits.

This combination of ends and feelings is basic, but it is not enough to solve the Virtue equation directed towards lasting happiness.

We need a certain knowledge that allows us to know how to act in each specific situation.

These are the Intellectual Virtues of which Aristotle speaks to us. The means to reach the ends.

This knowledge is what we can acquire and strengthen if we worry about looking for them. Ethics, although it has no fixed rules, is not divination either.

In the search for Virtue, we come into contact with those knowledge that will allow us to realize the degree of morality of our actions.

Usually, you know when you are doing well and when you are not . This is the practical wisdom of which the thinker speaks to us.

Now you know. The next time you are about to perform an action and have a minimum doubt of whether it is good or not, do not do it. Analyze it, think. That is why it is called Personal Growth, because it occurs within us. It is not something that comes from outside of us, therefore it is not in plain sight for others. They may not recognize you the process you are living inside, but you are living it and that is what matters.

The Virtue practice

What is the practical application of the theory that we have been working on? Aristotle, as we mentioned before, is the father of logic. This is why it solves the process of action through a syllogism:

Determined end (Moral Virtue)

Means to achieve it (Intellectual Virtue)

————–

= Action

With time and practice, Intellectual Virtue is becoming almost an intuition. That is what we should aspire to, the fruit of our effort. A moment from which to do good is natural to us . Moving from objective to action almost immediately. Already having clear on how to fulfill our goals, specifically, to reach Eudaimonia .

But again, the process we must overcome for that requires a lot of discipline. Happiness is not achieved easily, but we must not lose sight of whether it is possible to achieve it.

Perhaps one of our greatest tests is what Aristotle calls incontinence .

It occurs when there is something that we know we should not do, but desire overcomes our practice of Virtue.

In this way, we end up acting against our own judgments . It is the case of the vices like smoking, getting drunk, etc. (clearly, when the goal is to abandon those habits). Continence, then, will be the power to resist that temptation.

Intellectual Virtue decomposes more easily when strong emotions come into play.

Even so, it is in our power to face incontinence. That is why the philosopher says that she deserves our censorship.

The knowledge of the Soul

According to this great teacher, the incontinent is able to consider an end and even know the means to achieve it. But he does not carry out the action because his knowledge is in his head but he does not live in his soul.

When we know something really, he says, we assimilate his logos in the soul . This is how we are what we know, and the first principles come with experience.

That is why performing this task is so difficult for us. We must then engrave our ends and their means in our soul and then act on them. That is the way to Eudaimonia .

It is available to those who dare to make the decision to live based on Virtue.

At your fingertips.

All our actions are directed towards happiness. According to Aristotle, this is the way to get it. Through effort, decision and discipline. Forging a character through habits with which we shape our nature.

Training.

With time and practice, desires accommodate and you can perceive justice in the acts you must perform. That is wisdom.

The more wise people are being formed, the more virtuous our world will be.

Cheer up. Strive.

You're not alone.

Search your happiness.

And along the way, make our world a better place.

AUTHOR: Lucas, editor in the big family of hermandadblanca.org

SOURCES:

• “Ethics to Nicómano”, Aristotle
• https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arist%C3%B3teles