Conclusion: We are primed by nature to receive virtues that are
then perfected by
habit. (Chap 1;
1103a:25-26)
Premises:
I. Virtues cannot come from nature alone.
(Chap 1; 1103a:19-20)
A. That which exists by
nature cannot form a habit contrary to this nature. (Chap 1;
1103a:20-21)
1. Flame rises and cannot be trained to burn downward. (Chap1;
1103a:23-24)
2. Animals by nature act according to their desires and do not reason
why nor
consider acting contrary to this nature. (implicit)
B. Man by nature has desires and senses
but man by nature differs from other living
things in
having the capacity to reason. (Book 1; chap.7; 1098a:3-9)
1. Man has
the ability to reason, therefore can receive virtue and thus allows him
to adapt his nature toward the pursuit of virtuous action. (Chap
1;1103a:15-18)
2. Through
right thinking and habitation, man can develop the virtues he
receives. (Chap 1; 1103b.:20-23/ Chap2; 1104a:34-1104b:4)
II.
Virtues are produced and destroyed by the same sources and causes. (Chap1;
1103b:8/Chap 2; 1104a: 28-29)
A. All men are not born
good or bad. (implicit)
1. Man has to learn virtue and art by the act of doing. (Chap 1;
1103a:27-32/
1103a:33-1103b:2/1103b:11-17)
a. The manner in which a person builds will determine whether they are a
good
or bad builder. (Chap. 1; 1103b:11-12)
b. The manner in which a person responds in the presence of danger will
determine whether they are cowardly or brave. (Chap 1; 1103b:15-16)
2. There is a need for teachers to aid the learning process and once
learned,
virtues are perfected by habitation. (Chap 1; 1103b:12-13)
B. Actions shape the development
of character. (Chap 4;1105b:10-13)
1. Appropriate behavior produces virtuous action. (Chap1; 1103b:14-22)
2. Inappropriate behavior produces undesirable action. (Chap1; 1103b:14-
22)
C. States of character arise out of like activities. (Chap4;
1105a:29-35)
1. The activities must be of a certain kind. (Chap 2; 1104a:13-1104b:4)
a. A
self-indulgent person will indulge in all pleasures, a boorish person will
abstain from all pleasures. (Chap2; 1104a:23-26)
b. A person who shuns excess and inappropriate pleasures but engages in
some
pleasures that are of appropriate nature, develops temperance.
(implicit)
2. States of character correspond to the differences between these.
(Chap. 2;
1104a: 28-31)
a. A person habituated to stand their ground against injustice will
become
brave. (Chap. 2; 1104b:2-3)
b. In having perfected the virtue of bravery, a person will respond to
injustice
by standing against it. (Chap. 2; 1104b:3-4)
III. The type of habits when form from our youth is
important. (Chap 1; 1103b:23-25)
A. Virtues and vice
are concerned with pleasures and pains. (Chap 3; 1104b:30-34)
B. The pleasure or pain derived from
virtuous action is a sign of state of
character. (Chap. 3; 1104b:5-9)
C. Right education
leads a person towards virtue and away from vice. (implicit)
a.
Virtue is found in the mean between vices of excess and inaction. (Chap. 6;
1106b:30-35/ Chap 8;1108b:1-2)
b. We
must be educated and habituated to avoid vice in spite of the pleasure it
provides and not be pained by this avoidance. (Chap. 9;1109a:25/ Chap 3;
1104b:11-13)
This is what I comprehend from the readings and what AnnMarie mentioned and then some.
ReplyDeleteVirtues and vices are acquired by habit:
An argument:
1. Nothing can form a habit that is contrary to its nature.
2. Virtues can be formed by habit.
3. Vices can be form by habit
Therefore, man is neither virtuous nor vicious by nature
A certain type of situation will draw out certain responses in us (actions and emotions) and depending on how we respond, we will form a habit and become either virtuous of vicious.
One example: I someone sneezes, you respond “God Bless You” …naturally instinctive
Thus, vices are acquired by bad habits, just as virtues are acquired by good habits.
We become virtuous by acting virtuously.
We become vicious by acting viciously.
“Again, it is from the same causes and by the same means that every virtue is both produced and destroyed, and similarly every art; for it is from playing the lyre that both good and bad lyre-players are produced.”
Pleasure and pain are indicators of virtue and vice
“We must take as a sign of states of character the pleasure or pain that ensues on acts; for the man who abstains from bodily pleasures and delights in this very fact is temperate, while the man who is annoyed at it is self-indulgent, and he who stands his ground against things that are terrible and delights in this or at least is not pained is brave, while the man who is pained is a coward. For moral excellence is concerned with pleasures and pains; it is on account of the pleasure that we do bad things, and on account of the pain that we abstain from noble ones.”
If you are not virtuous, then virtue is painful and vice is pleasant. This is why it is difficult to become virtuous. On the other hand, if you are virtuous, then virtue is pleasant and vice is painful. So, the more virtuous you are, the easier it is to remain virtuous and become more virtuous.
What I drew from Ms Draycott's outline is that although we are not born virtuous, it is then something that can be picked up via habit and shown through action(s). Once you find something you like it is then easier to draw your character based on said actions that would then follow. One who develops virtuous habits during youth find it easier and faster to maintain later in life. Virtue is not something from nature.
ReplyDelete*obtained (virtue is not something * from nature)
Delete