Final answer:
The word that best completes the sentence '________ is destiny' from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus is 'character'. This concept is aligned with ancient Greek philosophy where virtues, ethics, and knowledge are integral to leading a good life and determining one's destiny.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said that "character" is destiny. This statement underscores the importance of personal virtue in determining one's life path and outcomes. In the context of ethics, it aligns with the views of various Greek philosophers, like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who believed that knowledge and virtue play crucial roles in living a good and flourishing life.
For Socrates, knowledge of the good was essential for virtue, as he believed that evil results from ignorance and that one must know what is good to choose it. Similarly, Plato's notion of a higher reality that includes goodness and justice suggests a connection between an understanding of ethical standards and leading a good life. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics further explores this by defining virtue as excellence in fulfilling a function, implying that ethical understanding and practice are central to human flourishing.
Ultimately, the phrase 'character is destiny' encapsulates the ancient Greek belief that personal virtues are fundamental to achieving a meaningful and ethical life.