According to Aristotle, what is central to ethics?

According to Aristotle, what is central to ethics?

• A. Ethics is primarily about following universal laws.
• B. Virtues are the central focus of ethics.
• C. Virtues are a mean between extremes.
• D. Morality is determined by social contracts.

Answer: (C)

Aristotle treats ethics as a matter of character shaped by deliberate, steady choices. A virtue is a disposition to act in the mean, neither too much nor too little, with the exact balance determined by reason and the person’s situation. This idea—the mean between extremes—is central because it shows how virtue is lived, not simply prescribed. Reason guides which way to lean in any given circumstance, a practical wisdom called phronesis. Repeating good choices builds virtuous character, so ethics is about habituation and flourishing (eudaimonia) through rightly tuned actions. Courage illustrates this: it’s the mean between rashness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency). Unlike approaches that emphasize universal rules or social bargains, Aristotle’s ethics centers on developing a balanced, rational character aimed at the good life.

Aristotle treats ethics as a matter of character shaped by deliberate, steady choices. A virtue is a disposition to act in the mean, neither too much nor too little, with the exact balance determined by reason and the person’s situation. This idea—the mean between extremes—is central because it shows how virtue is lived, not simply prescribed.

Reason guides which way to lean in any given circumstance, a practical wisdom called phronesis. Repeating good choices builds virtuous character, so ethics is about habituation and flourishing (eudaimonia) through rightly tuned actions. Courage illustrates this: it’s the mean between rashness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency).

Unlike approaches that emphasize universal rules or social bargains, Aristotle’s ethics centers on developing a balanced, rational character aimed at the good life.