The Virtue of Courage in the Aristotelian Thought

INTRODUCTION

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he presents a systematic account of ethics, focusing on how humans can live a flourishing life (eudaimonia) through the cultivation of virtue. Central to his theory is the idea of achieving balance between extremes, encapsulated in the Doctrine of the Mean. Courage (andreia) is one of the cardinal moral virtues Aristotle discusses, characterized by a rational response to fear and danger. It occupies a critical space within Aristotle’s ethical framework, helping individuals navigate fear in a way that contributes to their overall well-being.

This paper explores Aristotle’s notion of courage in detail, examining how it fits within his broader theory of virtue, the relationship between courage and fear, and the way it leads to human flourishing. I have dived into the kinds of happiness, relation of courage to pain and pleasure, some philosophers who talked about the virtue of courage, the implication of courage on the modern world, and finally critique and conclusion. In order to explore more about the concept of courage in the Aristotelian thought, I have used library sources. Through an analysis of the relevant sections in the Nicomachean Ethics, I have gained a deeper understanding of Aristotle’s virtue ethics and the role courage plays in the good life.