Virtue can be divided into two categories: intellectual and moral. Intellectual virtues are developed by teaching and instruction. Moral virtues are developed by force of habit. Moral virtues are not naturally instilled in us; the soul is designed to receive moral virtues, but in order to develop into guiding forces they must be nurtured by habit. The soul acquires moral virtue by exercising it, just as the pianist learns to play the piano by playing it and not by thinking about it. Virtuous activity breeds virtuous character.
The first thing we can say about virtuous conduct is that it is inconsistent with excess or deficiency. Any moral quality (take courage, for instance) can be present in excess (rashness) or deficiency (cowardice). In all things, virtue represents a middle ground between too much and too little. A virtuous person will react moderately to both pleasure and pain.
Virtuous acts that are done accidentally are worthwhile but cannot be considered part of our examination of human virtue. In order to be fully virtuous, an act must be performed by someone who is aware of what he is doing and why he is doing it. This is particularly true if we consider that, in order for virtue to be taught, it must be strengthened by habit. If virtuous acts are pursued without awareness of their worth, they cannot strengthen any habits.
We may speak of the feelings, faculties, or dispositions of the soul. Feelings are emotions, faculties are the capability of having emotions, and dispositions are our inclinations to have emotions. Since no one is praised or condemned for their emotions alone, or their ability to feel them, but rather on their reactions (and therefore inclinations), virtues must be dispositions. And human excellence must be the disposition that makes a person most inclined to be a good person and fulfill the human function (living a virtuous, rational life).
The nature of the virtuous dispositions can be discovered by using the doctrine of the Mean.
Aristotle "The range of Aristotle's interest and intellect is extraordinary. ... When Aristotle was about ten years old his father died. ... Proxenus taught Aristotle Greek, rhetoric, and poetry. ... Through Aristotle's life he accomplished many works. ... For Aristotle, psychology was a study of the soul. ...
Aristotle Consider Aristotle to be one of the three greatest thinkers of all time. ... The relationship between Aristotle and Plato was bittersweet. ... Categories contains example of Aristotle's logic deduction. ... Aristotle calls this prime mover God. ... Aristotle was the image of all wisdom in ancient humanity. ...
Proxenus taught Aristotle Greek poetry and rhetoric's. ... These works were Aristotle's thoughts on logic. ... Aristotle called logic, analytics. ... Aristotle also had his own philosophy of nature. ... Aristotle rejects the definition of space as the void. ...
Aristotle Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece, and one of the greatest minds in human history. ... Aristotle was born in 384 BC to Nicomachus, a physician of Mayntas II of Macedon. ... Aristotle also came up with other very abstract theories. ... When Aristotle looked towards the sky, he realized they did not move in an up and down fashion. ... Aristotle retired to a family estate in Euboea in 322, and died one year later. ...
Of the 158 constitutional histories, only one, the Constitution of Athens, survives; scholars think that it was written by Aristotle himself. At any rate, Aristotle had a very large empirical database for his theorizing about politics. 2. ... Thus, to cities of human beings, Aristotle would compare schools of fish, flocks of geese, hives of bees, anthills, and so forth.] ... In Politics III.9 Aristotle argues against competing conceptions of the nature and purpose of a political system. ... How could a political liberal object to Aristotle's argument for his paternalistic principle?...
Weeks English 101 10/21/01 Aristotle was a student at the academy of Plato in Athens, from age 17 to 37. ... In the essay "A Definition of Justice" Aristotle tries to explain that justice is interpreted different by everyone. ... Aristotle bases his concept of justice on the idea of equality. ... Aristotle says that most men believe justice to be equality, but not for all, but only for equals. ... Many of Aristotle's ideas are still problems in society today. ...
Aristotle was a teacher and studied under Plato at the academy and attended his lectures for a period of twenty years. ... I believe that according to Aristotle, the state was the beginning of all. ... This is why I think that Aristotle believed the state came first. ... Aristotle wrote much about rationality and irrationality of humans, and how much of each we share with animals. ... Aristotle felt the city is more important than the individual in some ways and because the city exists for the sake of living well, virtue must be a care for the city. ...
Aristotle believed that a person who has difficulty behaving ethically is morally imperfect. ... According to Aristotle, we only should be praised and blamed for which we can be held responsible. ... In book IV, Aristotle points out that honor, pleasure, and wealth are the things believed to make people happy. ... By distributive justice, Aristotle means fairness in exchange and fairness in the distribution of goods. ... Furthermore, Aristotle argues that people act justly or unjustly voluntary. ...
Based on Aristotle's view of political science, politicians need to determine which sciences need to be in communities. ... They see this type of advance to be a great benefit to society, in agreement to Aristotle's view of political science. ... According to Aristotle, means are pursued to achieve certain aims. ... Aristotle would argue that their ends are being pursued for their own fulfillment rather than society as a whole. ... Politicians are currently trying to keep the main intent of political science based on Aristotle. ...
