Author(s)

Jia Xiaodong

Corresponding Author

Jia Xiaodong

Abstract

Although Aristotle and Confucian ethics both fall in the category of virtue ethics, their understandings of virtues vary widely. Aristotle believed virtues came from a rational soul, which was closely related to his differentiation between people’s souls and bodies. Thus the realization of virtues depends on carrying out concrete activities. In the Great Learning, illustrious virtues are endowed by heaven. Deeply rooted in humans’ nature, they will remain unharmed. The most important thing about manifesting one’s virtues lies in discovering the fact that illustrious virtues are complete in everyone. Such differences come from their different understandings of the essence of humans. Aristotle understood people from the dualistic perspective of body and soul, while the Great Learning interprets people from the perspective of life. Thus the ways of achieving virtues vary widely.

Keywords

Virtue; Illustrious Virtue; Soul; Life