The virtues we acquire by first having actually practiced them, just as we do the arts.
Aristotle
The Virtues We Acquire
Topic: Virtue, Morality, & Ethics
The virtues we acquire by first having actually practiced them, just as we do the arts. We learn an art or craft by doing the things that we shall have to do when we have learnt it: for instance, men become builders by building houses, harpists by playing on the harp. Similarly we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.
Aristotle was a prominent Greek philosopher and polymath during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. Born in 384 BC in Stagira, a small town in northern Greece, he was the student of Plato and later became the tutor of Alexander the Great. Aristotle's works cover a wide range of topics, including logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, rhetoric, poetry, biology, and zoology. His ideas have profoundly influenced Western thought and various branches of knowledge, such as philosophy, natural sciences, and political theory.
Aristotle's scientific and philosophical ideas were based on empiricism, the belief that knowledge is gained through sensory experience. He is credited with establishing the foundations of formal logic and the scientific method, concepts that have shaped the course of Western intellectual history. Aristotle’s ethical philosophy, especially his concept of virtue ethics, has been influential as well, introducing the idea of moral virtues as a middle path between extremes. Additionally, his work in political philosophy, particularly his assertion that 'man is a political animal,' has been foundational in political science.
In the Middle Ages, Aristotle's works were rediscovered by Islamic scholars and later transmitted to the West. This reintroduction played a significant role in the development of Scholasticism, a method of learning that dominated medieval universities. One of the most important figures in this period was St. Thomas Aquinas, a theologian and philosopher who integrated Aristotle's philosophy with Christian doctrine. Aquinas, often considered the greatest of the Scholastic philosophers, adopted and adapted Aristotle's ideas, particularly his views on metaphysics, ethics, and the nature of the soul, creating a synthesis that has shaped Catholic thought for centuries. This enduring influence testifies to Aristotle's profound impact on a wide range of academic disciplines and intellectual traditions.
Nicomachean Ethics
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture II. Universal Peace Federation, 2011, p. 569 [Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics 2.1.4.].
Aristotle
Theme: Virtue Is
About Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics 2.1.4 [Brief Commentary]
In Aristotle’s view, virtue and skill are akin to one another, both requiring practice for mastery. When he says, “The virtues we acquire by first having actually practiced them, just as we do the arts,” he is inviting us to understand the nature of virtue as not merely a state of being, but a form of doing. It’s an action-oriented perspective that stands in contrast to the notion that virtues are innate qualities we either possess or lack. For Aristotle, virtue is accessible to anyone willing to engage in the consistent practice of virtuous deeds. The emphasis here is on practice, a dynamic process of becoming, rather than simply being.
Delving deeper into this idea, Aristotle uses concrete examples to illustrate that mastery comes from action. A builder doesn’t become skilled by merely studying theory or observing others but by the act of building itself. This is an empowering proposition. It suggests that theoretical knowledge, while helpful, is secondary to the experience gained through active engagement in the work. Understanding follows doing, not the other way around. Just as a harpist’s artistry is cultivated through the actual playing of the harp, moral virtues are cultivated through consistent, virtuous actions.
About Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics 2.1.4 [Longer Commentary]
Extending this principle to moral virtues like justice, temperance, and bravery, Aristotle provides a simple yet insightful framework for ethical development. If you wish to be just, perform just acts; if you desire temperance, practice temperate acts; if you aim to be brave, engage in acts of bravery. This may sound simple, but it contains an important implication: our character is not a static entity but is continuously shaped by our actions. The acts we choose to perform have a cumulative effect, molding us into who we wish to become.
Aristotle’s perspective compels us to reconsider the relationship between action and character. It’s a reciprocal relationship, where our actions form our character, and in turn, our character influences our future actions. This ongoing cycle not only offers a pathway to moral development but also places the responsibility squarely on our shoulders. If we want to be virtuous, then the onus is on us to act in ways that are aligned with those virtues. Such a realization offers both a challenge and an opportunity: the challenge of self-direction and the opportunity for continuous growth. Virtue, in this light, is not a destination but an ongoing journey, a practice that enriches both individual lives and the broader community.
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