Final answer:
Aristotle posits that humans develop ethical habits through repetition, becoming 'perfect by habit', which cultivates tendencies toward the mean state, the rational heart of virtuous character. Practice makes the 'right' actions familiar, helping individuals to understand and decide what is good in various situations. In Aristotelian ethics, the social environment is also critical in nurturing these virtues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle's famous metaphor for the development of virtuous habits is exemplified by his statement that humans "are made perfect by habit". This concept highlights that our ethical character is not innate but shaped through a systematic process of habituation, implying that we must actively practice and repeat good actions in order to develop a virtuous character. Over time, through a consistent application of these habits, we internalize the virtues and they become second nature, aiding us in achieving eudaimonia, the flourishing life Aristotle so profoundly emphasized.
Continual practice of virtuous actions cultivates corresponding dispositions or tendencies towards the mean state, which is a balanced and rational state of being, as opposed to extremes of deficiency or excess. This is akin to a knife being perfected for its task of cutting by developing a sharp edge through repeated honing. In the same manner, humans develop moral virtues not by mere instruction but by engaging in the 'right' actions habitually, thereby becoming adept at recognizing and understanding the reasons behind these choices in varying circumstances.
Overall, Aristotle underscores that moral virtues arise from habit rather than nature, and that a conducive social and political environment plays a crucial role in fostering these virtuous habits. Therefore, both personal effort in cultivating these habits and societal structures that support such development are integral to Aristotle's vision of ethical habituation.