Aristotle | Character Is Your Guide to Virtues 385 BCE GREECE 322 BCE GREECE
Aristotle is a philosopher of character. He teaches us how to flourish by being the best we can be relative to our own innate abilities. Aristotle’s primary concern is character development. While he does not think we are born with any particular character traits, he does think we each have unique tendencies that dispose us toward some actions over others. Flourishing occurs when we find a harmony between our innate tendencies and the exercise of virtues, such as honesty, courage, and generosity. He calls this balance between virtues and our dispositions our “mean.” It is arrived at through good and rational judgment rooted in self-knowledge and an awareness of doing the right thing. For Aristotle, happiness is attained by judging well, and doing so consistently throughout our lifetimes. Consistent and virtuous action is the foundation of a strong character. “It follows, then, that the happy person has the stability we are looking for and keeps the character he has throughout his life.”