โVice is voluntary; no one becomes unjust except by choosing unjust acts.โโ
โ Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 5
(Translated by W.D. Ross)
Big Idea
Lifeโs like building muscle:
- ๐๏ธ Good character = Lift kindness daily โ Strong moral “six-pack”.
- ๐ Bad character = Feed anger reps โ Grow cruelty “flab”.
โReal-Life Scenarios
๐ฅ Workplace Ethics
โ Voluntary Vice: Take credit for coworkerโs idea โ Promoted unfairly โ Become office villain.
โ Ethical Choice: Acknowledge teamwork โ Earn trust โ Real leadership grows.
๐ค School Dynamics
โ Voluntary Vice: Laugh at bullied kid to fit in โ Become known as mean girl/guy.
โ Ethical Choice: Sit with lonely classmate โ Build “kindness cred”.
๐ฑ Online Behavior
โ Voluntary Vice: Troll strangers for laughs โ Get blocked everywhere.
โ Ethical Choice: Defend someone in comments โ Gain loyal followers.
โAction Plan
- โThe “Spotter System”
Ask a friend to call out:- โWas that choice building โgood or โbad character?โ
- โ21-Day Virtue Challenge
Track daily choices:- Day 1: Return extra $5 cashier gave by mistake โ
- Day 2: Admit you broke Momโs vase โ
- โRole Model Audit
List 3 people you admire โ Note their โconsistent good choices โ Copy 1 this week.