Aristotle on virtues:
Quest: Discuss the types of
virtues (June-2013, 150 words)
Ans. Virtues are of two
types: intellectual virtues and moral virtues.
Virtues of the first type can be taught and learnt. While moral virtues
are a matter of practice. By repeatedly
doing an action one can make it habit.
By cultivating good habits one can achieve happiness. According to Aristotle, to follow the middle
path is the golden path and virtuous as well.
For example, being courageous is the golden means of virtue than the two
extremes of being cowardice and foolhardy.
Moral Virtues: R A P Rogers writes about moral virtues in
his book “ A Short History of Ethics’:
‘Moral virtue is attributed
to the irrational but conscious part of the soul, when emotions and desires are
subordinated to reason and thereby fulfill their functions’.
“ _ _ _
Temperance and courage are instances of moral virtues, for the one
expresses the permanent control, by reason of the desire for pleasure, the
other of the emotions of fear” . (P- 69)
According the Aristotle, moral virtues are synthesis of both
wisdom and emotions, balance of both animality and rationality. That’s why human being is called rational
animal. In his view, there are two types
of the emotional souls- conscious and unconscious. Attachment, hatred, passion, anger, desires,
aspirations are all part of unconscious soul.
We cannot eliminate them, but of course restrain them
Four important virtues, according to Aristotle are; wisdom,
prudence, temperance and fortitude (courage).
As Rogers writes: (*
reference -2)
“According
to Aristotle, wisdom, prudence, courage and temperance are the moral virtues.
Through temperance one can restrain his desires and at the same time enjoy
them. This is the middle path which is golden path”*1.
According to Aristotle, justice is also a virtue. Justice is of two types; distributive and
corrective justice. Justice is the principle of equity. Distributive justice gives directions for the
appropriate distribution of property among the eligible persons. While
corrective justice is related to punishment according to crime. This principle of equity is impartial
justice.
*1 Every virtue is a mean
between two extremes, each of which is a vice. This is proved by an examination
of the various virtues. Courage is a
mean between cowardice and rashness, liberality between prodigality and
meanness, proper pride between vanity and humility ready wit between bufoonery
and boorishness, modesty between bashfulness and shamelessness etc”.
B. Russell, P-106
Aristotle said that virtue is the eternal nature of human
being. This nature is expressed
deliberate actions. R A P Rogers also
agree with Aristotle‘s view and writes: “Every kind of excellence is such a
mean and this is true of moral virtue.
Virtue is a permanent mental state expressing itself in deliberate
actions and lying in a relative mean fixed by reason that is as the man of
practical wisdom would fix it”.
R A P Rogers, A
short History of Ethics, P-71
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