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Full Idea
It is universally believed that we have a disposition for justice or temperance or courage from birth, but moral qualities are acquired in another way; natural dispositions are found in children and animals, but without intelligence they can be harmful.
Gist of Idea
Dispositions to virtue are born in us, but without intelligence they can be harmful
Source
Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1144b04)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.223
A Reaction
An interesting argument, supporting the idea that moral virtue is not only teachable, but has to be taught, because it has an intellectual component.
| 4367 | Moral virtue is not natural, because its behaviour can be changed, unlike a falling stone [Aristotle] |
| 5223 | We are partly responsible for our own dispositions and virtues [Aristotle] |
| 4362 | Dispositions to virtue are born in us, but without intelligence they can be harmful [Aristotle] |
| 23353 | We have a natural sense of honour [Epictetus] |
| 4361 | Good animals can survive, breed, feel characteristic pleasure and pain, and contribute to the group [Hursthouse] |