1. What makes you happy?

Can you share to us how you apply the golden mean to reach
that level of happiness?

Happiness is a subjective emotion and varies from person to person. For some, it may be
spending time with loved ones, while for others, it may be achieving their goals. However, one
thing that remains constant is the pursuit of happiness. To reach that level of happiness, one can
apply the Golden Mean. For example, my happiness comes from indulging in food, I can apply
the Golden Mean by enjoying my favorite treats in moderation rather than overindulging or
depriving myself completely. Similarly, if socializing brings you joy, balance it out with some
alone time to recharge.

The key is to find a balance between pleasure and self-discipline. Too much of either can
lead to negative consequences such as guilt or burnout. By practicing the Golden Mean, we can
cultivate a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle that promotes long-term happiness. In conclusion,
applying the philosophy of the Golden Mean can help us achieve sustainable happiness by
finding balance in all areas of our lives. It's not about denying ourselves pleasure but rather
finding a healthy equilibrium that brings us joy without sacrificing our well-being. Applying this
philosophy to our pursuit of happiness means finding a balance between our desires and needs.
By prioritizing what truly makes us happy while avoiding harmful extremes, we can achieve
lasting happiness and fulfillment in life.

2. In what circumstances can you say that you have a life of virtue and avoided vices?

To claim that you have lived a life of virtue and avoided vices necessitates self-reflection
and honesty. It entails admitting your faults and accepting responsibility for your conduct. It also
entails acknowledging the influence of your decisions on others and attempting to make
apologies. This might also include making decisions that are consistent with your ideals and
convictions, even when they are tough or controversial. It entails showing love, respect, and
compassion to people even when they do not deserve it. Most significantly, it entails remaining
loyal to oneself and living with integrity.

3. Look at Figure 3. Choose a mean virtue and relate it to situation that challenges you to
make crucial decision.
The idea of selecting a mean virtue and linking it to a scenario that requires one to make a
critical decision is intriguing. It inspires people to think about their beliefs and how they might
apply them in everyday circumstances.
1. Virtue promotes the enhancement of the human person beyond what has been imposed
upon us by societal standards, dominant ideologies, and our own wounds (14). Virtue
teaches us that we must think, act, and speak based on moral principles, not based on how
society or the media tells us to.
What are the circumstances that challenges the human person in achieving a virtuous life?
5 pts.

A virtuous life is a goal that many people aspire towards, yet it can be difficult to
achieve. There are several conditions that might make living a good life difficult. The effect of
society and culture is one of the most critical difficulties. In today's environment, there is
frequently pressure to adhere to cultural standards and beliefs that may or may not be consistent
with virtuous action.

Another obstacle is the need for rapid fulfillment. The drive for instant pleasure or
fulfillment can cause people to make decisions that are contrary to their ideals or morality.
Personal challenges, such as mental health concerns or addiction, can also make it difficult for
people to continue virtuous conduct. Despite these obstacles, it is critical to remember that living
a virtuous life is achievable with devotion and work. Individuals may overcome these barriers
and live a satisfying and virtuous life by surrounding themselves with positive influences,
making goals and objectives, and getting help when required.

2. Morality and ethical behavior are the main reasons for focusing so much interest and
energy on values and virtues. Values are seen as a primary tool for encouraging,
promoting, and reinforcing ethical behavior. Admiration and other methods of rewarding
virtuous behavior work towards the same end.

In your 18-20 years of your existence or more, how do you value the importance of virtues
e.g. trust, kindness, generosity, sincerity in the family and circle of friends? 5 pts.

In my family, I was raised to cherish values such as trust, compassion, charity, and
sincerity. My parents instilled these principles in me because they thought they were necessary
for developing good connections and maintaining a peaceful family. Virtues are character
attributes that we acquire from our parents and culture. Trust is a valuable attribute because it
allows us to be honest with others and with ourselves. Kindness is a wonderful virtue since it
allows us to interact with people in a positive way. Another important virtue that gives us the
confidence to serve people who are less fortunate than us is generosity. Sincerity is a wonderful
attribute because it causes us to be truthful in our words and deeds.
3. According to Aristotle's ethical theory, the virtuous person exhibits the joint excellence
of reason and of character. The virtuous person not only knows what the good thing to do
is, she is also emotionally attached to it.

Why must a person continue to exhibit excellence of reason and character despite the
knowledge that this world is full of evil, many people exploit her limited resources,
corruption is evident, death and suffering are certain? 5 pts.

The answer lies in Aristotle’s belief that living well as a human being requires us to know
ourselves deeply, and that this knowledge can only be gained by self-examination. We cannot
know what we should do unless we know what we are capable of doing; nor can we have an
actual desire for virtue unless our nature allows it. We will only achieve excellence when we are
able to put all our powers into effect. A person must maintain a high degree of reason and
character in the face of corruption, exploitation, and death. It is not sufficient to just seek the
truth or avoid error. A person must also make an effort to make the world a better place.

For example, someone who does not fight for what he believes in may struggle to look
beyond his own personal needs and interests. He will be unable to notice what is right in front of
him because his attention will be drawn to what is wrong. He may even feel as if he is fighting
an uphill struggle since he realizes he cannot win this war on his own. Others, on the other hand,
are always willing to help him on his path to success in life. Through their expertise and
experience, these people may provide him with guidance and assist steer him toward success.
They can also provide him the opportunity to gain new talents that will help him thrive in life.