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Single Idea 21419

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / d. Teaching virtue ]

Full Idea

If the practice of virtue were to become a habit the subject would suffer loss to that freedom in adopting his maxims which distinguishes an action done from duty.

Gist of Idea

If virtue becomes a habit, that is a loss of the freedom needed for adopting maxims

Source

Immanuel Kant (Metaphysics of Morals II:Doctrine of Virtue [1797], 409 Intro XVI)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'The Metaphysics of Morals', ed/tr. Gregor,Mary [CUP 1991], p.210

A Reaction

Looks like a misunderstanding of Aristotle, who always promotes the role of 'phronesis' [practical reason], and never advocates unthinking virtuous habits. I think Aristotle would ask how you select your maxim, if you lack the virtues.

The 28 ideas with the same theme [whether people can be taught to be virtuous]:

205 Protagoras contradicts himself by saying virtue is teachable, but then that it is not knowledge [Plato on Protagoras]
4323 Socrates is torn between intellectual virtue, which is united and teachable, and natural virtue, which isn't [PG on Socrates]
8003 Socrates agrees that virtue is teachable, but then denies that there are teachers [Socrates, by MacIntyre]
21385 Antisthenes said virtue is teachable and permanent, is life's goal, and is like universal wealth [Antisthenes (I), by Long]
235 Virtue is the aim of all laws [Plato]
1913 Is virtue taught, or achieved by practice, or a natural aptitude, or what? [Plato]
1921 If virtue is a type of knowledge then it ought to be taught [Plato]
1927 It seems that virtue is neither natural nor taught, but is a divine gift [Plato]
188 Socrates did not believe that virtue could be taught [Plato]
189 If we punish wrong-doers, it shows that we believe virtue can be taught [Plato]
204 Socrates is contradicting himself in claiming virtue can't be taught, but that it is knowledge [Plato]
43 Nature enables us to be virtuous, but habit develops virtue in us [Aristotle]
44 We acquire virtues by habitually performing good deeds [Aristotle]
5152 Like activities produce like dispositions, so we must give the right quality to the activity [Aristotle]
4378 We must practise virtuous acts because practice actually teaches us the nature of virtue [Burnyeat on Aristotle]
51 True education is training from infancy to have correct feelings [Aristotle]
6793 People can break into the circle of virtue and good action, by chance, or with help [Aristotle]
57 We acquire virtue by the repeated performance of just and temperate acts [Aristotle]
2690 Associating with good people can be a training in virtue [Aristotle]
499 Repentance of shameful deeds is salvation [Democritus (attr)]
524 Virtue comes more from practice than from nature [Democritus (attr)]
23405 Rituals escape natural chaos, and benefit everyone, by reshaping our motivations [Xunzi (Xun Kuang), by Norden]
23406 Rituals don't arise from human nature; they are the deliberate creations of a sage [Xunzi (Xun Kuang)]
8009 Aquinas wanted, not to escape desire, but to transform it for moral ends [Aquinas, by MacIntyre]
21419 If virtue becomes a habit, that is a loss of the freedom needed for adopting maxims [Kant]
22340 It is hard to learn goodness from others, because their virtues are part of their personal history [Murdoch]
22349 Art trains us in the love of virtue [Murdoch]
7095 Moral education is better by concrete example than abstract principle [Statman]