Moral virtue is one of the things that make people human. People are not obligated to do any actions considered virtue; it is a personal morality and dedication to common good. Moral virtue is something that is not naturally developed, although it is a result of person’s character traits in combination with choices. There are virtues coming from fully natural character traits, but some might need to make efforts to gain honesty, for example. Aristotle argues if moral virtue is fully self-developed or natural.
Aristotle defines moral virtue as states of character, one of the compounds of the soul. He comes to this conclusion by eliminating two other things found in the human’s soul (Aristotle et al., 2009). The philosopher says a virtue cannot be faculties — we are not judged good or evil for passions. It cannot be passions, too, because they are not our choices when virtues are.
Moral virtue is believed to be acquired as a habit by repetitions and beliefs what is right. Aristotle argues that moral virtue is something that can only be acquired by hard work. His key point is that nothing can be done if it contradicts nature (Aristotle et al., 2009). As example, Aristotle talks about the rock that is doomed to fall by the gravity, and there is no way it is going to float in the air one day.
Discussion in the podcast goes about the teachers and children of public schools. The host and guests are debating about the poor learning environment of children, their future, and the teachers unwilling to help students. Aristotle’s view of moral virtue could be used to define that its solely teacher’s choice to help students or not. As known from The Nicomachean Ethics, some teachers can be rocks that are doomed to fall, and there is no possibility of them changing that fact. Moral virtue is a choice, and while it is the right thing, nobody can change perspective of others or make them do the good.
Reference
Aristotle, Ross, W. D., & Drown, L. (2009). The Nicomachean ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.