Single Idea 20200

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / a. Nature of virtue]

Full Idea

It is important for the nature of virtue that it have a corresponding vice (or two, in the doctrine of the mean). Claustrophobia is not a vice not only because it is involuntary, but also because there is no corresponding virtue.

Gist of Idea

A virtue must always have a corresponding vice

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], II 2.3)

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.105


A Reaction

Presumably attaining a virtue is an achievement, so we would expect a label for failure in the same field of endeavour. The failure is not purely negative, because bad things ensue if the virtue is not present.