# Book III: Virtue, Choice, and the Voluntary Nature of Character explained — Nicomachean Ethics

> Chapter companion for Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

## What happens

This chapter explores the voluntary nature of virtue and vice, arguing that individuals are responsible for their character through repeated actions. It examines the role of pleasure and pain in moral choice, the importance of the good man as a standard of truth, and the distinction between wishing for ends and deliberating about means. The chapter then analyzes specific virtues, beginning with courage—defined as the mean with respect to fear and confidence, especially in the face of death in war—and temperance, which concerns bodily pleasures.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Character

Virtue is a habit formed by repeated acts; character is voluntary and depends on our choices.

### Pleasure and Pain

Pleasure often misleads people into choosing apparent goods; courage involves enduring pain for a noble end.

### The Golden Mean

Courage is the mean between fear and confidence; temperance is the mean with regard to bodily pleasures.

### Practical Wisdom and Reason

Right reason guides virtuous action; the good man discerns the truly noble and pleasant.

## Character check-ins

### Aristotle

Primary author; presents arguments on voluntary action, virtue as habit, and the mean.

## Key lines

> The good or ideal man judges each case correctly, and in each case what is true seems true to him.

A virtuous person perceives reality accurately, serving as a standard for what is truly good.

_Aristotle emphasizes the good man as the measure of truth in moral matters._

> If then the doing a deed, which is noble, lies with us, the not doing it, which is disgraceful, lies with us... it follows that it lies with us to be worthy or worthless men.

Since we can choose to do noble or base actions, our moral character is our own responsibility.

_This establishes the voluntary nature of virtue and vice._

> Courage is moderation or observance of the mean with respect to feelings of fear and confidence.

Courage is the balanced disposition between being overly fearful and recklessly confident.

_Definition of courage as a mean between extremes._

> Temperance is moderation or observance of the mean with regard to pleasures (for it is not concerned with pains so much, nor in the same manner).

Temperance is the balanced approach to bodily pleasures, not primarily about pain.

_Introduction of temperance as a virtue concerned with pleasure._

## Links

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