Virtue

A) What distinguishes virtue from vices? Aristotle hammers the reader repeatedly with the answer to this: moderation. Too much fear is akin to cowardice, too little fear is the product of self-deception or mental dullness; Courage is facing fear at a particular moment, not denying it or running from it, but accepting it and functioning in the face of it. Aristotle goes on to explain the consequences of too much or too little of each "pleasure", such as friendship, will result in vice.

B) I'm not so sure I agree with Aristotle on this, I don't think moderation or virtuousness is essential for having a fulfilling life. I think balance is all that is needed, a balanced life that is harmonious with one's goals; balance is individualized and adheres to no template. Balance differs from moderation inasmuch as excess is only reached when a given pleasure disrupts the harmony and interferes with progression toward one's goals, the pleasure itself cannot cause imbalance. If one's goal in life is to run a successful business, one must take advantage of consumers by pricing one's products so that they bring in the most profit, regardless if this makes the product unaffordable for some or most. The same could be said of politicians: they must speak poetically to catch their constituents ears and whisper softly so that they may further their own agenda, even though their words may be empty. These things are decidedly non-virtuous, how may virtue and moderation help them with their aims?