Final answer:
The term for broad generalizations that guide understanding of why virtuous character is essential for happiness is virtue ethics. Aristotle's philosophy on virtue ethics focuses on habituation and the mean between vices to cultivate a character that leads to a fulfilling life or eudaimonia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for broad generalizations about character types given to help us understand why having a virtuous character is necessary for human happiness is virtue ethics. Virtue ethics is primarily concerned with the development of virtuous habits and character traits as a means to achieving eudaimonia, often translated as happiness or flourishing.
Aristotle prominently discussed how virtues, cultivated by habit and practice, contribute to human flourishing. He argued that virtues arise from repeated actions, gradually forming a virtuous character, and this, in turn, is central to living a fulfilling life.
This ethical framework emphasizes moral character over rules or consequences. Accordingly, political philosophers and educational reform advocates have considered the cultivation of virtues essential for both individual happiness and the welfare of the society.
Key principles of virtue ethics
- Virtuous character is necessary for eudaimonia, a flourishing life.
- Character traits such as bravery, integrity, humility, and kindness are sources of virtue.
- Habituation plays a crucial role in virtuous development, allowing individuals to perfect their moral decision-making through practice.
Aristotle's thought on virtue ethics holds that character states, such as being just or courageous, arise from one's habitual actions. One becomes virtuous by consistently practicing virtuous acts, which align character towards the mean, avoiding the extremes of deficiency and excess.
This practical approach to developing virtue underlies the notion that a person's character is not fixed at birth but shaped by their choices and habits throughout life.