back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 22517

[from 'Eudemian Ethics' by Aristotle, in 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / e. Character ]

Full Idea

It is from his choosing that we judge what sort of person someone is; that is, what that for whose sake he does something is, not what he does.

Gist of Idea

We judge character not by their actions, but by their reasons for actions

Source

Aristotle (Eudemian Ethics [c.333 BCE], 1228a03)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Eudemian Ethics I,II and VIII', ed/tr. Woods,Michael [OUP 1992], p.34


A Reaction

Not entirely true. It can be sufficient to reveal their character that a person does some particular thing, as novelists know. When Hud parks his car in her flowerbed, we don't need to enquire about his reason. But see 1228a16!