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Single Idea 5223

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / a. Natural virtue]

Full Idea

Our virtues are voluntary, because we ourselves are in a sense partly responsible for our dispositions.

Gist of Idea

We are partly responsible for our own dispositions and virtues

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1114b21)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.126


A Reaction

This seems half way to what we would now call existentialism. See Aristotle's other comments on natural virtue. The opposing view is Heraclitus's remark that "character is fate".