Aristotle calls virtue a "mean" because
A) being virtuous is in between being a horrible person and being perfect.
B) virtue sometimes involves treating people unkindly.
C) virtue is a matter of avoiding excess and deficiency.
D) virtue is a matter of compromising one's self-interest with the interests of others.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aristotle calls virtue a "mean" because it involves finding the right balance between excess and deficiency in our actions and emotions. Virtue is not about being perfect or some kind of compromise, but rather, it involves choosing the right amount of a particular quality or behavior in order to achieve the best outcome possible. For example, courage is a virtue, but cowardice and recklessness are vices. The right amount of courage falls somewhere in between these two extremes, and that is what Aristotle means by the "mean."

Aristotle Calls Virtue a "Mean" Because