How did Aristotle think people can shape their moral character?

For Aristotle, moral character is not an innate trait but a cultivated excellence that individuals must actively shape. He believed that virtues are acquired through practice and can be lost if neglected, functioning as abiding states of character rather than transient emotions.12

To develop moral character, Aristotle emphasized the following:

• Habituation and Practice: Virtues are developed by performing virtuous actions. By consistently choosing the golden mean—the middle ground between the vices of excess and deficiency—individuals train themselves to make these actions natural.12
• Practical Wisdom: The development of character is inseparably linked to wisdom. While moral virtue involves the right disposition, intellectual virtue allows an agent to assess circumstances accurately and formulate a "practical syllogism" to guide their life toward a good end.2
• Self-Development: Aristotle argued that humans possess the unique ability to mold their own dispositions. By choosing their actions, individuals can change or develop the very dispositions that present them with future alternatives, thereby taking responsibility for their moral growth.3

Ultimately, true virtue results when correct reasoning and right desire align, allowing an individual to live in accordance with their nature.2