Aristotle: Nicomachaen Ethics
1a. The definition given by Aristotle on the brave person is, “Whoever stands firm against the right things and fears the right things, for the right end, in the right way, at the right time, and is correspondingly confident, is the brave person; for the brave person’s actions and feelings accord with what something is worth, and follow what reason prescribes ( Aristotle, p.41).” So in looking at the definition by Aristotle, we come to realize that the brave person is one who is not without fear, but in fact understands what things are worthy of fear and to what extent. Also, this person understands the dangers that are present in facing these fears, and are able to act in a way that is not cowardly but is not unnecessarily confident and reckless.
b. When Aristotle refers to virtue, he is actually referring to excellence of the soul and self in a human being. Virtue is a state of being in which you possess the right feelings at the right time. You must not only possess the right feelings, but you must also use the knowledge of these emotions to act correctly. When referring to bravery as a virtue Aristotle says, “The brave person is unperturbed, as far as a human being can be. Hence, though he will fear even the sorts of things that are not irresistible, he will stand firm against them, in the right way, as reason prescribes for the sake of the fine, since this is the end aimed at by virtue (p.41).” Essentially bravery is a virtue because it part of being an excellent human being. You must understand the correct feelings involved with being brave, and how to act on these feelings in the right way. Through this you can understand how bravery is a virtue and how you are able to b ...