We are responsible for our actions because we perform them voluntarily. Aristotle’s criteria to distinguish said, “First, if he acts knowingly; second, if he acts by choosing and by choosing the actions in question for their own sake; and third, if he acts while being in a steady and unwavering state.” There is a difference between to act virtuously and to be virtuous. For instance, someone could behave virtuously by accident but their intention was not to do good. Virtue, however, is acquired by habit because to acquire virtue you would have already needed to act virtuously for the action to become habitual. Aristotle says “Yet one ought to say not only this – that virtue is a characteristic – but also what sort of characteristic it is. So it must be stated that every virtue both brings that of which it is the virtue into a good condition and causes work belonging to that thing to be done well.” (1106a) Virtue is what makes a thing perform its function appropriately. The habit from which the person becomes good is virtue, because virtue is a mean between two vices. Habit is defined as a regular pattern of behavior, often unconscious thought. We can become virtuous through habit. Habits are formed during our early life. An action deals with the particulars and specifics as to what is essential to accomplish the good and become virtuous, which would be in between the deficiency and excess. We always aim at the good but often become ignorant as to what is the actual good is end up and doing wrong. Aristotle would say it is through habit that a person accomplishes virtue and strives for a good and happy
We are responsible for our actions because we perform them voluntarily. Aristotle’s criteria to distinguish said, “First, if he acts knowingly; second, if he acts by choosing and by choosing the actions in question for their own sake; and third, if he acts while being in a steady and unwavering state.” There is a difference between to act virtuously and to be virtuous. For instance, someone could behave virtuously by accident but their intention was not to do good. Virtue, however, is acquired by habit because to acquire virtue you would have already needed to act virtuously for the action to become habitual. Aristotle says “Yet one ought to say not only this – that virtue is a characteristic – but also what sort of characteristic it is. So it must be stated that every virtue both brings that of which it is the virtue into a good condition and causes work belonging to that thing to be done well.” (1106a) Virtue is what makes a thing perform its function appropriately. The habit from which the person becomes good is virtue, because virtue is a mean between two vices. Habit is defined as a regular pattern of behavior, often unconscious thought. We can become virtuous through habit. Habits are formed during our early life. An action deals with the particulars and specifics as to what is essential to accomplish the good and become virtuous, which would be in between the deficiency and excess. We always aim at the good but often become ignorant as to what is the actual good is end up and doing wrong. Aristotle would say it is through habit that a person accomplishes virtue and strives for a good and happy