Michael Lacewing enquiries@alevelphilosophy.co.uk Aristotle on virtue Michael Lacewing enquiries@alevelphilosophy.co.uk

Virtue A virtue (arête) is a trait of mind or character that helps us achieve a good life (eudaimonia) Intellectual virtues Moral virtues (traits of character)

What is a moral virtue? Aristotle: a moral virtue is a state of character by which you ‘stand well’ in relation to your desires, emotions and choices: A character trait is a disposition relating to how one feels, thinks, reacts etc. in different situations, e.g. short-tempered, generous A virtue is a disposition to feel, desire and choose ‘well’

The doctrine of the mean Virtues and virtuous actions lie between ‘intermediate’ between two vices of ‘too much’ and ‘too little’ Compare eating too much/little Not arithmetical ‘to feel [desires and emotions] at the right times, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right motive, and in the right way’ This is Aristotle’s ‘doctrine of the mean’ But this is not the same as ‘moderation’ on all occasions

Practical wisdom Practical wisdom – an intellectual virtue – helps us know what the right time, object, person, motive and way is To feel ‘wrongly’ is to feel ‘irrationally’ A virtue, then, ‘a state of character concerned with choice, lying in the mean, i.e. the mean relative to us, this being determined by a rational principle, and by that principle by which the person of practical wisdom would determine it’

Virtues and vices Passion/concern Vice of deficiency Virtue Vice of excess Fear Cowardly Courageous Rash Pleasure/pain ‘Insensible’ Temperate Self-indulgent Money Mean Liberal (‘free’) Prodigal Important honour Unduly humble Properly proud Vain Small honours ‘Unambitious’ ‘Properly ambitious’ ‘Overambitious’ Anger ‘Unirascible’ Good-tempered Short-tempered Pleasant to others Quarrelsome Friendly Obsequious Shame Shy Modest Shameless Attitude to other’s fortune Spiteful Righteously indignant Envious

Acquiring virtues We acquire virtues of character through the habits we form during our upbringing. Virtues can’t simply be ‘taught’ – there are no moral child prodigies We are not virtuous ‘by nature’, but become virtuous by practising Like learning to play a musical instrument So we become just by doing just acts

Virtuous action How can we do just acts unless we are already just? ‘in accordance with’ justice vs. fully just acts A fully virtuous action know what you are doing choose the act for its own sake choose from a firm and unchangeable character As we become just, we understand what justice is and choose it because it is just

Two contrasts Is strength of will virtuous? Aristotle: No. A virtuous person doesn’t have to overcome temptation. Is eudaimonia the moral life? Aristotle’s idea is wider, e.g. we should have ‘proper pride’ and seek honour (vs. Christian humility and self-sacrifice)