Excellence or virtue in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in Aristotelian ethics. It refers to the fulfillment of purpose or function — the excellence that makes something good of its kind.
From Greek 'arete' (excellence/virtue), related to 'aristos' (best). The concept was central to Greek moral philosophy from the pre-Socratics through Aristotle, who developed a systematic account of virtues as excellences of character that enable human flourishing.
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