Final answer:
Virtue in Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy is understood as key to a good life, linked with knowledge and a harmony of the soul's intentions (Plato), and as a balanced habit between extremes (Aristotle).
Step-by-step explanation:
Virtue is a complex concept in the philosophical works of Plato and Aristotle, underpinning their thoughts on ethics and the good life. Socrates, as represented by Plato, saw all virtues as a unity grounded in the good, the beautiful, and the true. To Socrates, knowledge of the good was paramount; if one truly understood what was good, they would naturally act virtuously, as evil was considered a result of ignorance. According to Plato, virtue was tied to the world of Ideal Forms, and understanding these forms was key to living a virtuous life.
Aristotle took a more pragmatic approach, encapsulated in his work 'Nicomachean Ethics', where he described virtue in terms of finding a mean between excess and deficiency. For instance, bravery is the mean between the extremes of cowardice and recklessness. By recognizing and performing virtuous actions, individuals achieve human flourishing (eudaimonia). In Aristotle's view, intellectual virtues arise from teaching, while moral virtues develop through habit.
In summary, the approach to virtue by Plato and Aristotle involves an understanding of purpose, the pursuit of knowledge, and the practice of moderation. Engagement with these philosophical concepts requires reflection, self-examination, and disciplined habituation to achieve a virtuous and fulfilling life.