The Influence of Habit on Moral Virtue and Habit

The Unseen Architect: How Habit Forges Moral Virtue

Moral virtue, far from being an abstract ideal or an inherent gift, is fundamentally a product of habit. It is through repeated actions, consciously or unconsciously performed, that we sculpt our character, inclining ourselves towards either excellence or deficiency. This isn't merely a philosophical quaintness but a profound insight, deeply explored by the titans of Western thought, especially Aristotle, who recognized that our moral compass is calibrated not by what we think we should do, but by what we habitually do. Understanding this intricate relationship between habit and virtue is key to cultivating a life of ethical integrity and flourishing.

Aristotle's Enduring Insight: Virtue as a State of Character

For ancient philosophers, particularly Aristotle in his Nicomachean Ethics, moral virtue (arete) is not a feeling or a passive quality, but a hexis—a settled disposition or state of character. This disposition is acquired through habituation. We don't become courageous by simply knowing what courage is; we become courageous by repeatedly acting courageously in the face of fear. Similarly, we become just by performing just actions, temperate by practicing temperance, and generous by giving generously.

Aristotle famously states: "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit; we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts." This highlights a crucial distinction: intellectual virtues can be taught, but moral virtues are practiced. They are embedded in our very being through consistent behavior.

The Mechanics of Moral Habituation: From Action to Disposition

The process of habituation is a cyclical one, where actions reinforce dispositions, which in turn make subsequent actions easier and more likely.

Initial Effort: When first attempting a virtuous act, it often requires conscious effort, deliberation, and overcoming internal resistance. For instance, speaking truth when it's uncomfortable.
Repetition: Performing the act repeatedly, even when difficult, begins to carve a neural and psychological pathway. Each repetition strengthens this pathway.
Ease and Pleasure: Over time, the act becomes less effortful, more natural, and eventually, even pleasurable. The individual no longer needs to struggle to be honest; honesty becomes their default mode.
Disposition Formation: The repeated actions solidify into a stable habit. This habit then forms a core component of the individual's character, becoming a virtue.

(Image: A classical Greek sculpture depicting a philosopher, perhaps Aristotle, in deep contemplation, holding a scroll, symbolizing the intellectual pursuit of ethical understanding that must be paired with practical application.)

Virtue and Vice: The Dual Edges of Habit

The power of habit is morally neutral in itself; its ethical valence depends entirely on the actions it reinforces. Just as good habits lead to virtues, bad habits lead to vice.

Category	Virtue (Good Habit)	Vice (Bad Habit)
Courage	Acting appropriately in the face of danger	Cowardice (excessive fear) or Rashness (insufficient fear)
Temperance	Moderation in pleasures and appetites	Intemperance (excessive indulgence) or Insensibility (deficiency)
Generosity	Giving appropriately to others	Prodigality (excessive giving) or Meanness (deficiency)
Honesty	Speaking and living truthfully	Deceit, Lying, or Self-deception
Justice	Giving each their due, fairness	Injustice, Partiality, Exploitation

Each virtuous habit represents a "mean" between two extremes of vice—one of excess and one of deficiency. For example, courage is the mean between the vice of cowardice (too little fear) and the vice of rashness (too much fear). Our habits, therefore, determine not just what we do, but who we become.

The Crucial Role of Education in Habit Formation

Given that virtues are acquired, the significance of education becomes paramount. Education, in this context, extends beyond mere intellectual instruction; it encompasses the deliberate training and guidance, especially during formative years, to instill good habits. Thinkers like Plato, in his Republic, stressed the importance of early moral training through stories, music, and physical discipline to shape the souls of future citizens.

A comprehensive moral education, inspired by the Great Books, recognizes:

Early Intervention: Habits are most easily formed and ingrained in youth.
Role Modeling: Children learn by observing and imitating the virtuous actions of parents, teachers, and community leaders.
Consistent Practice: Opportunities for practicing virtuous behavior must be provided and encouraged.
Correction and Guidance: Errors in judgment or action should be corrected with a view to redirecting behavior towards the virtuous path.

Without proper education, individuals are left to the whims of chance or the influence of negative environments, which can easily lead to the formation of vicious habits.

Custom and Convention: Shaping Our Moral Landscape

Beyond individual education, the broader societal context of custom and convention plays a powerful role in shaping our collective and individual habits. The unwritten rules, traditions, laws, and social expectations of a community profoundly influence what behaviors are encouraged, discouraged, or simply taken for granted.

Social Norms: What a society deems acceptable or laudable (e.g., punctuality, respect for elders, civic participation) becomes ingrained through repeated observation and participation, fostering collective habits.
Legal Frameworks: Laws often codify moral customs, making certain virtuous actions mandatory (e.g., paying taxes) and certain vicious actions illegal (e.g., theft). Adherence to these laws, over time, can become habitual.
Cultural Practices: Rituals, ceremonies, and daily routines embedded in a culture can reinforce specific virtues or vices. For instance, a culture that habitually practices hospitality fosters generosity.

However, customs and conventions are not infallible. They can also perpetuate harmful habits and vices, making critical reflection and the courage to challenge established norms essential for moral progress. The Great Books are replete with examples of philosophers questioning the conventions of their time.

The Enduring Power of Habit

The profound influence of habit on moral virtue is a timeless lesson. It teaches us that character is not a static given but a dynamic creation, forged daily through our choices and actions. By understanding this, we are empowered to be the architects of our own moral selves, consciously cultivating those habits that lead to flourishing, both for ourselves and for our communities. The journey to virtue is not a sprint of grand gestures, but a marathon of consistent, deliberate, and often small, habitual steps.

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Habit Virtue"