Question #N257

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle theorized that a good life is one that is lived in accordance with virtue. He argued that virtue is a matter of striking the right balance between two extremes, which he called "excess" and "deficiency." For example, he said that courage is the virtue that strikes a balance between the extremes of cowardice and rashness. According to Aristotle, cowardice is a deficiency of courage, while rashness is an excess of courage. Aristotle believed that people can develop virtue by practicing virtuous behavior, which leads to the formation of good habits. What is the best way to describe Aristotle’s argument about virtue? What is the main point of the passage?

Which choice best describes the relationship between the terms "cowardice" and "rashness" in the passage?
A. Cowardice and rashness are similar behaviors, but they are exhibited in different situations.
B. Cowardice and rashness are opposites, and courage is a balance between them.
C. Cowardice and rashness are both deficiencies of courage, but they have different causes.
D. Cowardice and rashness are both forms of courage, but they have different effects.