Alright, so Aristotle, that ancient Greek philosopher with his sandals and dusty tunics, gave us "virtue ethics." It’s a system for people who are supposedly trying to become their best selves by balancing their lives between extremes. Yeah, Aristotle thought humans had the capacity for rationality and goodness—as long as we weren’t lazy or reckless. What Exactly is Virtue, Anyway? Aristotle didn’t think of virtue as a checklist of nice things to do, like some self-help manual. Oh no, he saw virtues as "excellences" or qualities that lead us to flourish. Think courage, not cowering or charging in like a lunatic. According to Aristotle, being virtuous means finding the golden mean—right smack in the middle between extremes. It’s a bit like walking a tightrope. Go too far left, you’re a coward. Too far right, you’re reckless. Find the balance, and you’re the hero. The Golden Mean: Aristotle’s Fancy Word for “Moderation” Now, the “golden mean” sounds fancy, but it’s re