Aristotle distinguishes between moral and intellectual virtues. Moral virtues shape character through practice, while intellectual virtues involve reasoning and learning. Both types guide our actions, emotions, and decision-making in different ways.

Practical wisdom plays a crucial role in applying moral virtues. It helps us find the right balance between extremes, navigate complex situations, and make sound choices. Developing virtues requires consistent effort and shapes our character over time.

Aristotle's Moral and Intellectual Virtues

Moral vs intellectual virtues

• Moral virtues acquired through practice and habituation shape character (courage, temperance, justice)
• Intellectual virtues gained via instruction and learning involve reasoning (wisdom, prudence, understanding)
• Moral virtues guide actions and emotions while intellectual virtues guide thinking and decision-making

Examples of moral virtues

• Courage represents the mean between cowardice and recklessness involves facing fears and standing firm in dangerous situations (battlefield, confronting injustice)
• Temperance balances insensibility and self-indulgence by moderating desires and appetites (food, drink, pleasure)
• Justice ensures fairness in distribution (rewards, punishments) and rectification (restoring balance, righting wrongs)
• Generosity lies between stinginess and wastefulness entails giving to others in appropriate amounts for the right reasons (charity, helping friends)

Role of practical wisdom

• Practical wisdom (phronesis) is an intellectual virtue that discerns the right course of action in specific situations
• Guides the application of moral virtues by determining the mean between extremes (courage vs recklessness, generosity vs wastefulness)
• Involves deliberation, judgment, and decision-making to act virtuously in context (choosing the right words, timing, manner)
• Enables individuals to navigate complex moral dilemmas and make sound choices (resolving conflicts, prioritizing values)

Virtues and character development

• Virtues are stable dispositions ingrained in character through repeated practice and habituation (consistently acting courageously, justly)
• Character development is the process of acquiring and strengthening virtues over time
• Requires consistent effort, self-reflection, and learning from role models and experiences (mentors, challenging situations)
• Individuals are responsible for their character development through voluntary choices and deliberate actions
• One's character reflects the cumulative impact of their choices, habits, and commitments (integrity, reliability, compassion)