more from Galen

Single Idea 6030

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / a. Virtues]

Full Idea

We have by nature these three appropriate relationships, corresponding to each form of the soul's parts - to pleasure because of the appetitive part, to success because of the competitive part, and to rectitude because of the rational part.

Clarification

'Rectitude' is 'uprightness', hence good behaviour

Gist of Idea

Each part of the soul has its virtue - pleasure for appetite, success for competition, and rectitude for reason

Source

Galen (On Hippocrates and Plato [c.170], 5.5.8)

Book Reference

'The Hellenistic Philosophers:Vol.1 translations', ed/tr. Long,A. /Sedley,D. [CUP 1987], p.415


A Reaction

This is a nice combination of Plato's tripartite theory of soul (in 'Republic') and Aristotle's derivation of virtues from functions. Presumably, though, reason should master the other two, and there is nothing in Galen's idea to explain this.