Prehistory includes the role of the Greek epic, most notably the work of Homer, who created the image of the individual as hero and of life as quest or an adventure. Socrates articulated the practice of dialogue, dialectical conversations that sought deeper truths through examination of daily life. Socratic discourse was both ethical and personal with its focus on achieving character and virtue through knowledge. Plato focused on the values of true and good as ends in themselves. Justice was the paramount virtue or the sum virtue with regard to one's relations with others. Aristotle's theory of virtue helped define the excellent man as one who excelled in leading a truly human life by adhering to intellectual and moral virtues. The notion of goodness, with its end state of fulfillment or excellence, was found within the context of society. Virtue was regarded as individually and socially beneficial. These philosophers underscored that living a morally good life involved justice, virtue, and character. | Prehistory includes the role of the Greek epic, most notably the work of Homer, who created the image of the individual as hero and of life as quest or an adventure. Socrates articulated the practice of dialogue, dialectical conversations that sought deeper truths through examination of daily life. Socratic discourse was both ethical and personal with its focus on achieving character and virtue through knowledge. Plato focused on the values of true and good as ends in themselves. Justice was the paramount virtue or the sum virtue with regard to one's relations with others. Aristotle's theory of virtue helped define the excellent man as one who excelled in leading a truly human life by adhering to intellectual and moral virtues. The notion of goodness, with its end state of fulfillment or excellence, was found within the context of society. Virtue was regarded as individually and socially beneficial. These philosophers underscored that living a morally good life involved justice, virtue, and character. |