Final answer:
Montaigne's ideal life consists of a virtuous existence that strives for wisdom and accepts human imperfection. This aligns with the views of ancient philosophers who linked virtue to the good life, suggesting that living well involves the practice and refinement of virtue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regards what constitutes a virtuous and fulfilling life, a topic often discussed in philosophy and ethics. Montaigne's ideal life includes pursuing wisdom while acknowledging human fallibility—the notion that we are always somewhat near folly. The correct answer to the question, 'A virtuous ordinary life, striving for wisdom but never far from folly, is:', is option c) Montaigne's ideal life.
In the context of virtue ethics, a good life is characterized by the cultivation and exercise of virtue, which leads to eudaimonia, a term that represents flourishing or a well-lived life. Ancient philosophers such as Aristotle emphasized that human flourishing is achieved through the perfection of rationality and moral habituation. Moreover, the engagement with philosophical reflection and understanding of the world is an integral aspect of the examined life, as suggested by Socrates, which also contributes to living meaningfully.