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Single Idea 17221
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / j. Unity of virtue
]
Full Idea
The man who is ignorant of himself is ignorant of the foundation of all the virtues, and consequently is ignorant of all the virtues.
Gist of Idea
A man ignorant of himself is ignorant of all of the virtues
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 56)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.203
A Reaction
This would appeal to Aristotle, for whom the social virtues are an aspect of one's own character, and not a calculation made about externals.
Related Idea
Idea 17220
Self-satisfaction is the highest thing for which we can hope [Spinoza]
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]
|