Possessing and exercising virtues lead to good life Dr. Daniel M. Assistant Professor, Department of Studies in Philosophy, University of Mysore Manasagangotri, Mysore – 570006, Karnataka Online published on 22 January, 2016. Abstract Extolling certain virtues and denouncing certain vices is an integral part of the moral fabric of all cultures. Virtues are those qualities in which it is desirable for a person to excel and vices are those qualities which it is desirable for a person to refrain from. Virtues are firm habits to do what is right and good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best himself. Aristotle conceived of virtues as those qualities the possession of which enabled an individual to achieve happiness that led to good life and the lack of which frustrated the person's movement towards this ultimate good. In his Nichomachean Ethics, he develops a theory of the good life called Eudiamonia for humans. Aristotle definition of Eudaimonia is the active life and the rational activity of the soul in accordance with virtue in a complete life. Virtues are universal and recognized by all cultures as basic qualities necessary for our well-being and happiness. Some of the important virtues are generosity, courage, temperance, justice, wisdom, love, kindness, discipline, fortitude, honesty, prudence, and so on. Because of these virtues or positive character traits, he or she is committed to doing the right thing no matter what the personal cost, and does not bend to impulses, urges or desires, but acts according to values and principles. These are the virtues, which lead humans to happiness and a good life. Virtue is two-fold: Intellectual virtue and Moral virtue. Intellectual virtues have to be learned and moral virtues become part of us as a result of habit. People are praised for their virtuous actions and blamed for their non-virtuous actions. Hence, the external goods etc though are ingredients of happiness, virtue is primary. Top Keywords 1. Virtues, 2.Vices, 3.Good Life, 4.Generosity, 5.Courage, 6.Temperance, 7.Justice, 8.Wisdom, 9.Love, 10.Kindness, 11.Discipline, 12.Fortitude, 13.Honesty, 14. Prudence, 15.Intellectual Virtue, 16.Moral Virtue, 17.Happiness. Top |