Starting in Book 5 Aristole begins to decipher what virtue might actually be and where it comes from. He puts it down to three things , passion, state of charcter, and faculties. Aristole then goes to make cases for all three and then argue all three faulty in some way. I love the style of this writing as if he is just writing his thoughts out loud and it is very raw but its also confusing when coming to a clear conclusion. How he describes each one makes me wonder if just like he says that we have to look at the indiviual facts of each person why can't all three ways of possibley finding virtue be right? Virtue is what we base our higher morals on and if we base them on emotions or how we particular act or what surronds and is given to us then there can be no generalization of what virtue is.
I commented on Ethan and Wendy's blog post.
You're right, how can we truly determine what is a true virtue in the eyes of everyone when we all possess a different viewpoint on every action? My thought is that we may view an opinion given by someone more prestigious than ourselves higher than those of passersby. So in that sense, can we generalize some virtues to be right or wrong, despite having a different view, based on what others say and who we see as more virtuous than the other? I say, if your morals don't clash with mine, they're virtuous to me, despite my personal feelings toward them.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, how can we truly determine what is a true virtue in the eyes of everyone when we all possess a different viewpoint on every action? My thought is that we may view an opinion given by someone more prestigious than ourselves higher than those of passersby. So in that sense, can we generalize some virtues to be right or wrong, despite having a different view, based on what others say and who we see as more virtuous than the other? I say, if your morals don't clash with mine, they're virtuous to me, despite my personal feelings toward them.
ReplyDeleteAristotle does not rule out "state of character"; he affirms it. His only issue with it is that it needs to be more specific, to what sort of state it is. Also, his generalization is that virtue cannot be generalized, but that it is different concerning each virtue and situation concerning that virtue.
ReplyDeleteI personally figure that virtue can come from more than just three ways. I've always considered it to come from everywhere all at once. Especially based on social norms during certain time periods.
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