Final answer:
Aristotle focused on the development of virtues tied to reason and believed in the importance of habituation for cultivating excellence of character. He did not emphasize humility or gratitude toward a personal god, contrasting with Judeo-Christian values where humility and divine gratitude are crucial. Aristotle also supported the idea of government playing a role in fostering societal virtues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle did not conceptualize god as a personal creator in the same way that later Judeo-Christian traditions would. Instead, his perspective was that of a prime mover or "thought thinking itself." He focused on the development of virtue within the context of this worldly existence, believing that humans achieve eudaimonia—or flourishing—through the cultivation of virtues linked to reason. Aristotle thought that these virtues were developed through habit and consistent practice, which leads to excellence in character. In contrast, the Judeo-Christian tradition places a strong emphasis on humility and a 'fear of the Lord' as foundational to holiness and virtuous living, which is distinct from Aristotle's notions of cultivating virtues primarily through rationality and habituation.
In terms of gratitude towards god, Aristotle saw no necessity for human beings to express such feelings to a non-personal divinity. This stands in sharp contrast to the Judeo-Christian view where gratitude and humility before God are integral to spiritual and virtuous life. The Judeo-Christian approach to divine gratitude is deeply connected to the personal nature of God in these traditions, highlighting a fundamental difference between Aristotelian and Judeo-Christian conceptions of the relationship between humans and the divine.
A further point of differentiation is found in the role the government plays in virtue development according to Aristotle. He believed that the government should help cultivate virtues such as wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice through societal institutions like family life, education, and the arts. This is a testament to his view that virtues are not only personal but also social in nature, and are essential for a well-functioning community.