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Single Idea 5157
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / b. Basis of virtue
]
Full Idea
Any kind of excellence renders that of which it is the excellence good, and makes it perform its function well; thus the excellence of the eye makes both the eye and its function good.
Gist of Idea
If a thing has excellence, this makes the thing good, and means it functions well
Source
Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1106a17)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.99
A Reaction
To say that a thing's excellence makes it good seems tautological to us, but Aristotle perceives a family of concepts (such as good, fine, excellent, and functioning well) which capture different psychological states. We need 'good', as well as 'right'.
Related Idea
Idea 2095
If something has a function then it has a state of being good [Plato]
The
22 ideas
with the same theme
[foundation and justification for belief in virtues]:
5149
|
The two main parts of the soul give rise to two groups of virtues - intellectual, and moral
[Aristotle]
|
5156
|
How can good actions breed virtues, if you need to be virtuous to perform good actions?
[Aristotle]
|
5157
|
If a thing has excellence, this makes the thing good, and means it functions well
[Aristotle]
|
5872
|
Excellence is the best state of anything (like a cloak) which has an employment or function
[Aristotle]
|
625
|
Is excellence separate from things, or part of them, or both?
[Aristotle]
|
14060
|
Prudence is the greatest good, and more valuable than philosophy, because it produces virtue
[Epicurus]
|
20855
|
Chrysippus says virtue can be lost (though Cleanthes says it is too secure for that)
[Chrysippus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
5970
|
Chrysippus says nothing is blameworthy, as everything conforms with the best nature
[Chrysippus, by Plutarch]
|
23181
|
All acts of virtue relate to justice, which is directed towards the common good
[Aquinas]
|
21871
|
The more we strive for our own advantage, the more virtuous we are
[Spinoza]
|
17210
|
All virtue is founded on self-preservation
[Spinoza]
|
17214
|
To act virtuously is to act rationally
[Spinoza]
|
12515
|
Actions are virtuous if they are judged praiseworthy
[Locke]
|
6232
|
Every creature has a right and a wrong state which guide its actions, so there must be a natural end
[Shaftesbury]
|
23672
|
To be virtuous, we must care about duty
[Reid]
|
8097
|
Virtue is hard if we are scorned; we need support
[Joubert]
|
14818
|
First morality is force, then custom, then acceptance, then instinct, then a pleasure - and finally 'virtue'
[Nietzsche]
|
21742
|
Originally virtue was obedience, to gods, government, or custom
[Russell]
|
22478
|
The essential thing is the 'needs' of plants and animals, and their operative parts
[Foot]
|
22398
|
Virtues are corrective, to resist temptation or strengthen motivation
[Foot]
|
5076
|
To Greeks it seemed obvious that the virtue of anything is the perfection of its function
[Taylor,R]
|
20195
|
Eudaimonia first; virtue is a trait which promotes it; right acts are what virtues produce
[Hursthouse, by Zagzebski]
|