more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
Each virtue makes its possessor tend to despise great things that are contrary to reason - for example, courage does this of dangers, …a temperate person of many pleasures, and a generous one of many sorts of wealth.
Gist of Idea
Possessors of a virtue tend to despise what reason shows to be its opposite
Source
Aristotle (Eudemian Ethics [c.333 BCE], 1232a37)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'Eudemian Ethics', ed/tr. Reeve, C.D.C. [Hackett 2021], p.45
A Reaction
I like the observation that the generous tend to despise wealth, implying that those who love wealth tend to lack generosity. Christianity has encouraged us to reject the idea of despising anything - but that seems to iron out common sense values.
| 5217 | At times we ought to feel angry, and we ought to desire health and learning [Aristotle] |
| 5236 | It is foolish not to be angry when it is appropriate [Aristotle] |
| 23911 | Possessors of a virtue tend to despise what reason shows to be its opposite [Aristotle] |
| 22590 | Virtue is concerned with correct feelings [Aristotle] |
| 6287 | If you lust after a woman, you have committed adultery [Jesus] |
| 8061 | If morality just is emotion, there are no external criteria for judging emotions [MacIntyre] |
| 6701 | Rescue operations need spontaneous benevolence, not careful thought [Graham] |
| 3221 | Our desires become important when we have desires about desires [Rey] |
| 4346 | The emotions of sympathy, compassion and love are no guarantee of right action or acting well [Hursthouse] |