more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 5759

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

Full Idea

The various things that men pursue are not perfect and good, because they differ from one another; ..when they differ they are not good, but when they begin to be one they become good, so it is through the acquisition of unity that these things are good.

Gist of Idea

Varied aims cannot be good because they differ, but only become good when they unify

Source

Boethius (The Consolations of Philosophy [c.520], III.XI)

Book Ref

Boethius: 'The Consolations of Philosophy', ed/tr. Watts,V.E. [Penguin 1969], p.105

A Reaction

This is a criticism of Aristotle's pluralism about the good(s) for man. Boethius' thought is appealing, and ties in with the Socratic notion that the virtues might be unified in some way. I think it is right that true virtues merge together, ideally.

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]