What did Aristotle say about virtue/character ethics?

• A. Be in the golden mean
• B. Follow the law at all times
• C. Seek external rewards
• D. Practice extreme behaviors

Answer: (A)

Aristotle’s virtue ethics centers on character shaped by habit and the aim of finding the right balance in how we respond. The key idea is the golden mean: virtue lies at the point between excess and deficiency, a balance that is relative to the person and the situation. This isn’t a fixed rule but a practical judgment guided by reason and practical wisdom. A virtuous person learns through habit to act in ways that avoid extremes and fit the context, so courage sits between rashness and cowardice, and generosity between wastefulness and stinginess. In this view, moral excellence comes from choosing the right degree of a trait for the right reason, not from simply following laws, chasing rewards, or embracing extreme behavior.