The following is a summary of a presentation by Bridget Newell, Visiting Instructor from the University of Utah Department of Philosophy at the March meeting of the Humanists of Utah.

The source for Aristotle's main argument was taken from The Nichomachean Ethics. Aristotle reasons that in order to become virtuous we must develop habits of doing moral deeds. It begins in a person's childhood, and requires a constant and proper upbringing. Virtuousness does not come naturally. It is up to us to become either virtuous or vicious. The potential is there in all of us, but virtuousness requires nurturing and modeling at a very young age. Personal responsibility is required for maintaining it throughout our adulthood.

We can help children to become virtuous if we help them do deeds which are pleasant, and if we associate pleasure with doing them. Children then connect feelings of pleasure with the doing of good deeds. For example, we can teach generosity by being kind to other people, and reward our children with praise when they behave in a generous way. And when they're selfish, we need to reprimand them for not doing the proper thing. Children develop positive feelings with doing the right act, and negative feelings for doing the wrong act.

Aristotle taught that once a child has learned to associate good deeds with pleasant feelings, then the child will eventually do good deeds on his own. And the deeds will not remain based on feelings alone, but on a cognitive level as well. Eventually people do virtuous deeds because they become the right thing to do, and because they discover they actually feel better for doing them. People come to the conclusion that the examples they've been taught really do make sense. When knowledge blends with an activity, then a deed becomes "goodness for goodness sake." And when this point is reached, authority figures no longer become necessary because good behavior has been internalized. This is how a virtuous character is developed.

What if children don't have the proper upbringing? Can they develop a virtuous character later on? The answer is yes, but it becomes much more difficult. You begin by thinking good deeds. Imagine them first in your mind, then do them. The cognitive element will eventually follow. Virtuousness begins with the thinking process, then it is analyzed, followed by placing oneself in appropriate situations, and ending by doing good deeds.

Aristotle defined the word "virtuous" as, " Doing the right thing, at the right time, and in the right amount." He taught that "Virtues are a MEAN between two extremes." For example, courage is not a foolhardy act, but it is not running away either. Generosity is not generosity if we give all our money to the homeless. Instead, generosity is giving what we can: we are neither stingy nor wasteful, and we consider our own growth and development in the process. Virtuous development is doing what's appropriate for the individual.

A good way an adult can develop and maintain a virtuous character is to have a "companion friend." This is a person with whom we share the same values: a person we can trust, be intimate with, and relate to in a non-authoritarian way. A companion friend would be one who helps point out our deficiencies as well as our strengths. This friend knows the whole of us, and is willing to give us feedback about our behavior. A companion friend must be self-directed, and have self knowledge. This type of friend helps us formulate goals, and ideals and is morally obligated to point out our flaws.

Aristotle believed that human interaction is necessary to become virtuous. He taught that we are all political, and social beings, and we are lacking if we do not have companion friends. They add to the good life. They help us pay attention, and keep us from getting out of character, and becoming vicious. Companion friends help us to put things in perspective. They are our moral yardstick, and we learn our moral sensibilities from them.

Aristotle made allowances for "weakness of will," when rage or passion comes into our lives. The philosopher believed that conflicts are what lead us to self-examination, wherein our ignorance is identified, and rational and virtuous goals are explored. Since virtue does not come naturally, it behooves us to accept the responsibility to nurture moral deeds.

--Nancy Moore