An Introduction to Virtue

I mentioned in my initial post of this blog that on Wednesdays we were going to be discussing the virtues of masculinity that are proper fatherhood. It order to do this, I think it is appropriate to first discuss virtue itself and have a precise definition of the term. 

The first thing that will come to most minds when thinking of virtue, is that it applies to actions that are linked to morally good traits. 

While this is correct, this definition needs to be fleshed out some to really grasp what it means to virtuous. From my perspective, one of the more thought out and precise definitions of virtue comes from Aristotle in his Nichomachean Ethics. 

Aristotle says that virtue is a habit. Habits can be classified into several kinds, but Aristotle is focused on one particular kind. 

In the Greek, the word Aristotle uses for habit is "hexis." A hexis refers to an active condition of the soul. Since it is active, it is not referring to our dispositions or our base habits, such as biting your nails. An active condition is something that one has to willingly maintain through the practice of right actions and reason.

Aristotle also says that virtue is the mean. I like to think of this concept as balance between extremes, as formed by a right relationship to pleasure. 

For example, let's take the concept of sexual pleasure. One extreme is lasciviousness, or the indulgence of our sexual pleasures at every passing whim. On the other end we would have prudishness, or the complete rejection of sexual pleasure. Virtue does not fall on either end as their is no balance or right relationship to the pleasure itself. Virtue lies in chastity, which accepts there is sexual pleasure and that it is right to enjoy it within the proper context of marriage. 

We can do this sort of analysis with all pleasures, and we will always find that virtue lies in the balance.

What then is virtue for? Virtue exists to order our souls to the beautiful- also know as the good. 

Therefore, a virtuous action is an action that that is chosen for the sake of the virtue. The practice of virtuous actions then orders our soul to the beautiful, and thus we become virtuous people when we choose the beautiful for its own sake.

In future discussions we will look at specific virtues related to masculinity, and see how they order us to the beautiful and the good.