Final answer:
Aristotle posits that virtues are acquired habits built through practice, rather than inherent emotions or rational capacities. To become virtuous, individuals must develop rational capacities and character through both intellectual and moral virtues, leading to eudaimonia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle writes that if virtues are neither passions nor faculties, they should be considered as acquired habits. This understanding comes from his assertion that moral virtues do not arise naturally within us, but are shaped and honed through habitual practice. Virtues are not emotional impulses that occur spontaneously or capacities we hold by default; they are rather dispositions built through repeated actions and reflective choices. When we consistently practice virtue, we cultivate the essential character traits needed to live a flourishing or eudaimonic life, according to Aristotle's teachings.
Individuals should make use of both the intellectual and moral virtues to become virtuous by developing their rational capacities and character through learning, experience, and practice. Performing virtuous acts and engaging in deliberate reflection help in building a virtuous character aligned with right reason. This holistic approach enables individuals to move towards what Aristotle deems as the ultimate goal of human existence - eudaimonia, or a state of being well and doing well in an ethical life.