Virtue is one of the most important concepts in classical political philosophy. Even though Aristotle and Confucius wrote in 300s BC and 400s BC, respectively, the topic of virtue is not archaic; on the contrary, it refers directly to modern realities. This concept reflects a fundamental attitude to the world and a way of orienting a person in life. Due to the fundamental importance of virtue, it makes sense to rely on this concept in political philosophy. Thus, it is what everyone strives for: the goal of people’s actions and activities. Ultimately, it is the raison d’être of our existence. The most natural thing for every person is to think, “Why am I living?” It is this goal (and not something abstract and very complex) that must be realized as a blessing.
According to Aristotle, not all benefits are equal: there are auxiliary ones, but there are final ones. People choose the final goals in different ways: someone strives to accumulate property, someone – for pleasure, someone strives for fame, someone – for what philosophers call happiness, for the virtue that we receive from intellectual activity.
Confucius saw the good of society in good-naturedness, which was brought up based on traditional family values. According to Confucius, every person can become noble if he cultivates himself by studying traditions and culture. To improve himself, a person must curb his passions and impulses, living following certain principles that ensure the ideal state of society and its members. This state is achieved by moderation in everything, deliberation of actions, leisurely and pedantic execution of all rituals and rules.
The commonplace of reflections of Aristotle and Confucius is the question of the meaning of life, which is achieved through good. Their teachings are based on the natural human need for happiness, and they address many-sided issues of well-being and ethics. At the same time, both believe that moral or ethical virtues (virtues of character) are born from habits-morals: a person acts, gains experience, and based on this, his character traits are formed. Reasonable virtues (the virtues of the mind) develop in a person through learning. The philosophers analyze and demonstrate what can be considered genuine virtue instead of the superficial achievements that some people are chasing.
Reference
Aristotle. The Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by Joel K. Thompson.
Confucius. The Analects. Translated by James Legge.