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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
24 ideas
from Boethius
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15035
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If universals are not separate, we can isolate them by abstraction
[Boethius, by Panaccio]
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23308
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Reasoning relates to understanding as time does to eternity
[Boethius, by Sorabji]
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5752
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Where does evil come from if there is a god; where does good come from if there isn't?
[Boethius]
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5753
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The regular events of this life could never be due to chance
[Boethius]
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5754
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You can't control someone's free mind, only their body and possessions
[Boethius]
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5756
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Happiness is a good which once obtained leaves nothing more to be desired
[Boethius]
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5757
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God is the supreme good, so no source of goodness could take precedence over God
[Boethius]
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5758
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God is the good
[Boethius]
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5759
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Varied aims cannot be good because they differ, but only become good when they unify
[Boethius]
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5760
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The power through which creation remains in existence and motion I call 'God'
[Boethius]
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5761
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God can do anything, but he cannot do evil, so evil must be nothing
[Boethius]
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5763
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The bad seek the good through desire, but the good through virtue, which is more natural
[Boethius]
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5762
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The wicked want goodness, so they would not be wicked if they obtained it
[Boethius]
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5764
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When people fall into wickedness they lose their human nature
[Boethius]
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5765
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The reward of the good is to become gods
[Boethius]
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5766
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If you could see the plan of Providence, you would not think there was evil anywhere
[Boethius]
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16692
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Divine eternity is the all-at-once and complete possession of unending life
[Boethius]
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5767
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Rational natures require free will, in order to have power of judgement
[Boethius]
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5768
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God's universal foreknowledge seems opposed to free will
[Boethius]
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5769
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Does foreknowledge cause necessity, or necessity cause foreknowledge?
[Boethius]
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5770
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Rewards and punishments are not deserved if they don't arise from free movement of the mind
[Boethius]
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5771
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Knowledge of present events doesn't make them necessary, so future events are no different
[Boethius]
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14665
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We can call the quality of Plato 'Platonity', and say it is a quality which only he possesses
[Boethius]
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16661
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There are two sorts of category - referring to things, and to circumstances of things
[Boethius]
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