Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle defines moral virtues as irrational behaviors, particularly one's desires, controlled by one's rationality. Virtues are states of character, and states of character are created only through a process of habituation. According to Aristotle, while an individual has the potential to acquire moral virtues, habits are also crucial in achieving those virtues. Because habits may result in either virtues or vices, people must be cautious when developing their habits from their youth (1103b 23).

It is through habits and constant practice that moral virtues arise in people. One can only achieve goodness though numerous repetitions of the same act. Just as musicians master their musical instruments by persistently practicing and improving their skills, people become virtuous by doing virtuous deeds (1103a 34). Only when one keeps performing the same act can one truly learn and become an expert in his respective area. After one is habituated to certain behaviors, these behaviors become his second nature and can hardly be changed. Just as when one first learns how to ride a bike, he has to be cautious about keeping in balance. After he knows how to bike, he can keep in balance without being conscious. As a result, one has to be vigilant when forming his habits at the beginning because these habituated behaviors form one's character; they become part of who an individual is. Even though habits can actualize one's moral virtues, habits do not necessarily direct people to goodness. Because people go through different trainings during their youth (or at their starting point) and develop different habits, there exist both good and bad characters. Good habits develop into virtues, whereas bad habits lead to vices. It is thus important for us to be mindful of what kind of habits we are developing when we are young or at our starting point.

I do not entirely agree with Aristotle's idea that virtues