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Full Idea
There is a widespread view in ancient ethics that virtue is a kind of understanding of moral value.
Gist of Idea
Virtue is a kind of understanding of moral value
Source
Julia Annas (Ancient Philosophy: very short introduction [2000], Ch.3)
Book Ref
Annas,Julia: 'Ancient Philosophy: a very short introduction' [OUP 2000], p.51
A Reaction
In Aristotle's case, this coincides with his apparent view that 'understanding' is the aim of all areas of human thought. See Idea 12038.
Related Idea
Idea 12038 Translate as 'humans all desire by nature to understand' (not as 'to know') [Aristotle, by Annas]
| 12036 | Xenophanes began the concern with knowledge [Annas] |
| 12037 | Euripides's Medea is a key case of reason versus the passions [Annas] |
| 12040 | Virtue is a kind of understanding of moral value [Annas] |
| 12046 | Plato was the first philosopher who was concerned to systematize his ideas [Annas] |
| 3541 | Ancient ethics uses attractive notions, not imperatives [Annas] |
| 3543 | Cyrenaics pursue pleasure, but don't equate it with happiness [Annas] |
| 3542 | We should do good when necessary, not maximise it [Annas] |
| 3546 | 'Phronesis' should translate as 'practical intelligence', not as prudence [Annas] |
| 3550 | Principles cover life as a whole, where rules just cover actions [Annas] |
| 3547 | Epicureans achieve pleasure through character development [Annas] |
| 3551 | Virtue theory tries to explain our duties in terms of our character [Annas] |
| 3552 | If excessively good actions are admirable but not required, then duty isn't basic [Annas] |