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Single Idea 4111
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / j. Unity of virtue
]
Full Idea
Socrates believed that basically there is only one virtue, the power of right judgement.
Gist of Idea
Socrates believed that basically there is only one virtue, the power of right judgement
Source
report of Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by Bernard Williams - Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy Ch.1
Book Ref
Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.9
A Reaction
Which links with Aristotle's high place for 'phronesis' (prudence?). The essence of Socrates' intellectualism. Robots and saints make very different judgements, though.
The
19 ideas
with the same theme
[all virtues are variants of a single thing]:
4111
|
Socrates believed that basically there is only one virtue, the power of right judgement
[Socrates, by Williams,B]
|
277
|
The Guardians must aim to discover the common element in the four cardinal virtues
[Plato]
|
1916
|
Even if virtues are many and various, they must have something in common to make them virtues
[Plato]
|
1918
|
How can you know part of virtue without knowing the whole?
[Plato]
|
2155
|
True goodness requires mental unity and harmony
[Plato]
|
4117
|
Nowadays we (unlike Aristotle) seem agreed that someone can have one virtue but lack others
[Williams,B on Aristotle]
|
23910
|
Greatness of soul produces all the virtues - and vice versa
[Aristotle]
|
13561
|
Virtue is always moderate, so excess need not be feared
[Seneca]
|
5759
|
Varied aims cannot be good because they differ, but only become good when they unify
[Boethius]
|
17221
|
A man ignorant of himself is ignorant of all of the virtues
[Spinoza]
|
21418
|
There is one principle of virtues; the virtues are distinguished by their objects
[Kant]
|
24103
|
You should not want too many virtues; one is enough
[Nietzsche]
|
22346
|
Moral reflection and experience gradually reveals unity in the moral world
[Murdoch]
|
22350
|
Only trivial virtues can be possessed on their own
[Murdoch]
|
22456
|
Maybe virtues conflict with each other, if some virtue needs a vice for its achievement
[Foot]
|
20213
|
We need phronesis to coordinate our virtues
[Zagzebski]
|
4354
|
Maybe in a deeply poisoned character none of their milder character traits could ever be a virtue
[Hursthouse]
|
4356
|
We are puzzled by a person who can show an exceptional virtue and also behave very badly
[Hursthouse]
|
4364
|
Being unusually virtuous in some areas may entail being less virtuous in others
[Hursthouse]
|