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Single Idea 5848

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / a. Nature of virtue ]

Full Idea

If one used strength, health, wealth and strategic expertise well, one might do the greatest possible good and if badly the greatest possible harm; this is a problem common to all good things, except virtue.

Gist of Idea

All good things can be misused, except virtue

Source

Aristotle (The Art of Rhetoric [c.350 BCE], 1355b04)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'The Art of Rhetoric', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,H.C. [Penguin 1991], p.69

A Reaction

Of course, this may just be a tautology about virtue, rather than an empirical observation. However, in 'Ethics' he tries to describe a state of mind (essentially one of harmony) which could never result in misuse.

The 17 ideas from 'The Art of Rhetoric'

5847 It is the role of dialectic to survey syllogisms [Aristotle]
5848 All good things can be misused, except virtue [Aristotle]
5849 Rhetoric is a political offshoot of dialectic and ethics [Aristotle]
5850 Happiness is composed of a catalogue of internal and external benefits [Aristotle]
5851 Pentathletes look the most beautiful, because they combine speed and strength [Aristotle]
5852 The four constitutions are democracy (freedom), oligarchy (wealth), aristocracy (custom), tyranny (security) [Aristotle]
5853 The best virtues are the most useful to others [Aristotle]
1660 It is noble to avenge oneself on one's enemies, and not come to terms with them [Aristotle]
23250 Desired responsible actions result either from rational or from irrational desire [Aristotle]
5854 Nobody fears a disease which nobody has yet caught [Aristotle]
5855 We all feel universal right and wrong, independent of any community or contracts [Aristotle]
5856 Self-interest is a relative good, but nobility an absolute good [Aristotle]
5857 The young feel pity from philanthropy, but the old from self-concern [Aristotle]
5858 Men are physically prime at thirty-five, and mentally prime at forty-nine [Aristotle]
5859 Rich people are mindlessly happy [Aristotle]
5861 People assume events cause what follows them [Aristotle]
5862 A single counterexample is enough to prove that a truth is not necessary [Aristotle]