Single Idea 4342

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

Full Idea

In discussing Priam, Aristotle, I take it, would allow that the virtuous person's life can be marred, but not, I think, ruined.

Clarification

Priam lost his city to the Greeks through a blunder

Gist of Idea

Aristotle must hold that virtuous King Priam's life can be marred, but not ruined

Source

comment on Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1101a14) by Rosalind Hursthouse - On Virtue Ethics Ch.3 n11

Book Reference

Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.75


A Reaction

This seems right. At first it seems that Aristotle is saying that Priam's eudaimonia was utterly lost, but elsewhere he implies that this is impossible if the disaster is external to his character.