Knowledge is not necessary for the possession of the virtues, whereas the habits which result from doing just and temperate acts count for all. By doing just acts the just man is produced, by doing temperate acts, the temperate man; without acting well no one can become good. Most people avoid good acts and take refuge in theory and think that by becoming philosophers they will become good.
Aristotle___
The quote “Knowledge is not necessary for the possession of the virtues, whereas the habits which result from doing just and temperate acts count for all. By doing just acts the just man is produced, by doing temperate acts, the temperate man; without acting well no one can become good. Most people avoid good acts and take refuge in theory and think that by becoming philosophers they will become good.” highlights the importance of action in the development of virtues. In this article, we will explore this quote in detail and provide insights into the relationship between virtue and knowledge.
The Role of Habits in the Development of Virtue
The quote emphasizes the role of habits in the development of virtues. According to the quote, “the habits which result from doing just and temperate acts count for all.” In other words, it is the actions that we take, and the habits that we develop as a result of those actions that count towards the development of virtues. For example, by doing just acts, we become just, and by doing temperate acts, we become temperate.
The Importance of Action
The quote also emphasizes the importance of action in the development of virtues. It states that “without acting well, no one can become good.” In other words, it is not enough to simply know what is right or virtuous; we must take action and practice those virtues to develop them. This is because virtues are not abstract concepts that can be understood through theory alone; they are practical skills that must be developed through action and practice.
The Pitfalls of Theoretical Knowledge
The quote also highlights the pitfalls of theoretical knowledge. It states that “Most people avoid good acts and take refuge in theory and think that by becoming philosophers they will become good.” In other words, many people believe that by simply acquiring knowledge or understanding of virtues, they will automatically become virtuous. However, as the quote emphasizes, knowledge alone is not enough to develop virtues. It is only through action and practice that we can truly become virtuous.
The Importance of Practice
To develop virtues, we must cultivate good habits through consistent action and practice. For example, if we want to become more just, we must consistently practice just acts, such as treating others fairly and honestly. Similarly, if we want to become more temperate, we must practice temperance by consistently practicing self-control and moderation.
Conclusion
The quote “Knowledge is not necessary for the possession of the virtues, whereas the habits which result from doing just and temperate acts count for all. By doing just acts the just man is produced, by doing temperate acts, the temperate man; without acting well no one can become good. Most people avoid good acts and take refuge in theory and think that by becoming philosophers they will become good.” emphasizes the importance of action in the development of virtues. Virtues are not simply abstract concepts that can be understood through theory; they are practical skills that must be developed through consistent action and practice. By cultivating good habits through consistent action, we can develop virtues and become better human beings.
