Final answer:
Aristotle's philosophy posits that moral virtue and practical wisdom are intertwined, with moral virtues being acquired through habit and practical wisdom enabling the right decisions for a virtuous life. Aristotelian ethics emphasize that one cannot have practical wisdom without being virtuous, underpinning a flourishing life through the development of reason.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle's discussion on moral virtue and practical wisdom forms a crucial component of his ethical philosophy found in Nicomachean Ethics. Moral virtues, according to Aristotle, are habits that we acquire by repeatedly performing the right actions, which aligns with the view that "the good and the 'well' is thought to reside in the function" of a being. It's not enough to understand what is morally right; individuals must also possess practical wisdom (phronesis)—an intellectual virtue that requires the ability to deliberate well and make decisions about how to act virtuously in various situations.
Practical wisdom is the capacity to know the right means to achieve virtuous ends, and thus, it cannot be separated from moral virtue. Aristotle famously stated, "...it is impossible to be practically wise without being good" because possessing practical wisdom presupposes having a good character formed by the moral virtues. It involves a conscious choice, guided by proper reasoning and executed from a stable and virtuous character. This aligns with Aristotle's belief that human flourishing (eudaimonia) is achieved through the development and perfection of reason, manifest in our capacity to live according to the virtues.