Blog Prompt 13:  Are the virtues merely a means to happiness? What is virtue? How does one become virtuous? What does Aristotle mean when he says that virtue is a state of character? Give examples and explain.

A virtue is a show of kindness and being sympathetic towards others which doesn’t mean happiness, however it goes towards happiness when is receiving and giving happiness. Aristotle believes that it’s a gift from the gods to men because it seems reasonable to him that the gods would blessed humanity with this gift of happiness that’s a process of training and learning that is a god like thing. Almost anyone can become virtuous just by doing one good deed that has to be meaningful and a kind generous thing to do that not many people would do for others such as giving tips in restaurants for waiters, helping people who aren’t able reach an item or objects, giving a compliment to others, and etc.

Aristotle called virtue a state of character from his statement it means that a person show kindness towards others and it’s a choice that everyone makes, therefore Aristotle considered it as a mean of passion and action between vices. There’s a bit anger into it because Aristotle explains a person with good temper can be virtuous and Aristotle said that, “…sometimes we praise those who get angry and call them manly.” Aristotle labeled them as a moral virtue because it was mainly about habit and practice than reasoning and instruction. For instance, when I ask my brother for favors and if he’s a bad mood, he’ll ignore my request or straight up say no, afterwards when he’s calm he’s able to do the favor. I learned that when a person is angry at you for other reasons or they’re in a bad mood no matter what, they’ll help you even if they had said no because it’s what good kind person would do. This is mainly when a person is asked for a simple favor then was declined because a person was angry, but not at them, so the person who’s angry realized their mistake and helps them. This is why virtue is a state of character because no matter what emotions you feel, you’re morality of doing the right thing will always be greater than your emotions.

W/C: 392