To ask, “What is a good man?” is not to inquire into fleeting fashions of masculinity or social expectations that shift with the tide. It is to ask a question of enduring moral significance, one that reaches into the heart of human identity and virtue. Aristotle, the great philosopher of purpose and flourishing, did not speak of the good man in isolation, but always in relation to the good life. A good man is, in his view, a human being who fulfils the function (ergon) of human nature through reason, virtue, and noble action.
We must therefore begin not with what a man does, but with what a man is called to be. In a time that often confuses strength with dominance, confidence with pride, and freedom with license, Aristotle’s vision offers an alternative. The good man is not the one who asserts himself most forcefully, but the one who lives most excellently, one whose soul is ordered by reason and whose actions serve the highest good.
The nature of the human good
In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle defines the good for man as “the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.” Unlike animals, who follow instinct, human beings are unique in their capacity for reasoned choice. This means that to be truly good, a man must develop both intellectual and moral virtues; not only to know what is right, but to do it willingly and habitually.
The good man, then, is not simply one who avoids vice or obeys rules. He is one who strives toward aretē—excellence of character. He seeks not pleasure, power, or wealth as ends in themselves, but lives in accordance with truth, justice, and temperance. He orders his desires not by whim but by wisdom, and he measures his actions not by popularity but by what is noble and just.
Virtue as the measure of manhood
What, then, are the virtues that constitute a good man?
- Courage: Not brute daring, but the strength to face danger, pain, or moral challenge for the sake of the good. The good man does not shrink from duty, even when it demands sacrifice.
- Justice: The disposition to give each their due, to act fairly, and to uphold the common good. A good man treats others not as means, but as ends—whether in the home, the workplace, or the public square.
- Temperance: The moderation of desires, especially for pleasure and comfort. The good man is not ruled by appetite; he has learned to say no to himself for the sake of higher goods.
- Practical Wisdom (Phronēsis): The ability to judge rightly in complex situations. The good man does not rely on formulas; he learns from experience and deliberates carefully before acting.
- Magnanimity: Greatness of soul. The good man is neither boastful nor self-deprecating, but knows his worth and seeks to serve great causes without arrogance.
These virtues do not arise naturally. They must be cultivated through education, habit, and community. The good man is not born, but formed, through trial, reflection, and a lifelong commitment to moral growth.
The good man in relationship
Aristotle emphasises that virtue is always exercised in relation to others. A good man is not an isolated ideal but a relational being, as a son, friend, father, citizen, colleague. In each of these roles, his goodness is tested and expressed.
In friendship, the good man seeks not utility or flattery but mutual pursuit of the good. He desires what is best for the other, not what is convenient for himself. In family, he leads not through dominance, but through moral example and care. In public life, he speaks with integrity, even when silence would be safer. The good man does not live for himself alone, but sees his life as part of a larger moral order.
This relational dimension also means that goodness requires humility. The good man is aware of his dependence on others and the limitations of his judgment. He is teachable, grateful, and open to correction, not because he lacks confidence, but because he knows that wisdom is a shared pursuit.
Masculinity and the good man
In modern debates, much is made of the concept of masculinity. Some defend traditional roles; others reject them. But Aristotle provides a more enduring framework, in that goodness is not defined by gendered stereotypes, but by human excellence. Yet it is also true that each person, including each man, expresses virtue in ways shaped by their unique roles and responsibilities.
For example, men in many societies are often expected to be providers, protectors, or leaders. These roles carry real weight, but their moral value depends on how they are fulfilled. A man who provides by dishonest means, or leads through fear, is not a good man by Aristotelian standards. Strength must serve justice. Ambition must be ordered by wisdom. Authority must be exercised with care and humility.
Thus, the good man is not measured by conformity to societal scripts, but by his alignment with the objective standards of virtue. He can be gentle without being weak, decisive without being domineering, and ambitious without being self-serving.
Challenges and temptations
In every age, certain vices pose particular threats to the formation of good men. In our time, these may include narcissism (the tendency to see the self as the centre of all value), apathy (the failure to take responsibility for one’s life and the world, cynicism (the belief that virtue is naive and that only power matters), and, escapism (the pursuit of pleasure as a refuge from meaning).
Against these, the good man must struggle, not through grand gestures alone, but through daily acts of courage, honesty, and self-mastery.
Becoming the good man
Aristotle would remind us that we become good not by accident, but by choice—repeated, deliberate, and refined over time. The good man is not perfect; he errs, falters, and doubts. But he rises again. He reflects. He chooses again what is noble over what is easy, what is just over what is safe, and what is true over what is convenient.
In a world often confused about what it means to be strong, successful, or admirable, Aristotle’s vision endures. A good man is not merely a competent man or a powerful one. He is a virtuous one, anchored in reason, directed toward the good, and dedicated to living excellently, for himself and for others.