How to Build Good Character - Aristotle’s Ethics | Highlights Ep.5

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Hillsdale College is an independent institution of higher learning founded in 1844 by men and women “grateful to God for the inestimable blessings” resulting from civil and religious liberty and “believing that the diffusion of learning is essential to the perpetuity of these blessings.” It pursues the stated object of the founders: “to furnish all persons who wish, irrespective of nation, color, or sex, a literary, scientific, [and] theological education” outstanding among American colleges “and to combine with this such moral and social instruction as will best develop the minds and improve the hearts of its pupils.” As a nonsectarian Christian institution, Hillsdale College maintains “by precept and example” the immemorial teachings and practices of the Christian faith.

The College also considers itself a trustee of our Western philosophical and theological inheritance tracing to Athens and Jerusalem, a heritage finding its clearest expression in the American experiment of self-government under law.

By training the young in the liberal arts, Hillsdale College prepares students to become leaders worthy of that legacy. By encouraging the scholarship of its faculty, it contributes to the preservation of that legacy for future generations. By publicly defending that legacy, it enlists the aid of other friends of free civilization and thus secures the conditions of its own survival and independence.

[HistoryBuff]

I am convinced that these teachings are what kids should get, not the garbage pile of education in America's public schools now.

[jesusmysavior]

Thank you Hillsdale, very few left in this land ❤️🇺🇸

[npcx]

State of the soul that arises from the choices that you make - Just WOW

[WildeWolfe]

I am so thankful for these videos! Round table discussion should be in every classroom.

[siddrajput]

I'm taking the entire course now. It's fascinating.

[TexelZoopraxiscope]

💛💙♥️ Thank you for keeping the discussion going 💚🧡💜

[Guys_Love_Each_Other]

00:01 Character is the state of the soul arising from choices.
00:42 Building character through habit and experience.
01:23 Courageous acts are done for the beautiful.
02:04 Making good choices aligns with human nature.
02:48 Aristotle's ethics emphasize balance and moderation.
03:23 Moderation is key to building good character
04:05 The importance of not underestimating personal growth
04:50 Listening to the voice of good character strengthens it








Character is the state of the soul arising from choices.
- Determining the ethical 'golden mean'
- Exploring the concept of character and its formation.

Building character through habit and experience.
- Thinking is developed through teaching, experience, and time.
- Character excellence is cultivated through habit and making good choices based on motive and the beautiful thing.

Courageous acts are done for the beautiful.
- Avoid grossly foolish acts to maintain courage.
- Building good character requires making good choices consistently.

Making good choices aligns with human nature.
- Committing vicious acts can lead to negative consequences and harm your nature.
- Making good choices leads to a happier and fulfilling life.

Aristotle's ethics emphasize balance and moderation.
- The concept of a 'golden mean' is central to Aristotle's ethics, representing the idea of finding the right balance in behavior.
- A key challenge is determining what constitutes the 'golden mean' in various actions and behaviors.

Moderation is key to building good character
- Training enough is essential to avoid exhaustion and keep up with life's demands
- Seeking the right amount in all aspects of life leads to better choices and character development

The importance of not underestimating personal growth
- Personal growth becomes easier over time, especially in a school setting.
- Choosing against personal growth consistently is detrimental to character development.

Listening to the voice of good character strengthens it
- This strengthening makes it overpower other influences
- Character building involves specific actions to achieve this

[anthonytsang]

It is invaluable content available to people who want genuine wisdom! Thank you

[NajwaLaylah]

I like the way this speaks of non-positive thinking. Due to the popularity of positive thinking ('at all costs'), a lot of people come to anything convinced that if they don't think they can do a thing, they won't be able to do it-- which is a terrible attitude to labour under. Of course, if you don't think you can do a thing, sometimes you can, anyhow. (And, of course, you may think you can do a thing, and find that you cannot do it-- or not yet.) And, as stated in the video, you grow from that experience.

Maybe its just my quirk, but I feel tremendously reassured by the idea that you are free to try without expectations of success, without dooming yourself to failure.

[traciebecker]

Thank you for these timeless teachings.

[boxbrown]

What a great opportunity to be in such an awesome class! I am definitely taking the course at age 60!

[mattgordon]

Thank you! I’ve started a few classes, and already I’ve learned so much! Even this short video is wonderfully instructive!Onward and upward 🙂

[aaron-dmbw]

I use these reading to supplement my attitude, beliefs and actions in check - form habits that become my nature.

[npcx]

This video is well made, Content, Camera angle, audio, background music, It's an inspiration

[LaxmiDevi-eyrk]

From India good morning sir you are telling truth and these prices using onwards any country it's going to nice and good future thanks a lot

[tommythompsonsurfer]

EXCELLENT BLESS TIMES AMERICA WILL LET ME DO WHAT I AM SUPPORT TO DRIVEN WORLD.

[freethinker]

Such an excellent video! What version/translation of "Nicomachean Ethics" would you recommend the most?

[harryburke]

Character is what you do when nobody is looking.

[justtalking]

Character like compound interest, accumulates time-exponential under truth principles ("principal" in the financial scenario!), and while growth in character stays imperceptible over smaller periods of time, it is unmissable over longer durations, and perhaps most notably always assumes it maximum potential at the point of its withdrawal for whatever ulterior purpose it was accumulated.

[grmalinda]

Taking the narrow way, do the most difficult first things first, things get easier...