Aristotle says that virtue is a "mean" between two extremes. For instance, the virtue of courage consists of the disposition to feel neither too much nor too little fear, but rather some appropriate amount in between. Is this consistent with his claim that some actions (such as stealing or adultery) are always wrong in all circumstances?

Question

Dayami Bishop

Social Studies

11 January, 03:35

Aristotle says that virtue is a "mean" between two extremes. For instance, the virtue of courage consists of the disposition to feel neither too much nor too little fear, but rather some appropriate amount in between. Is this consistent with his claim that some actions (such as stealing or adultery) are always wrong in all circumstances?

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Luciana Ruiz · Answer 1

Explanation: Aristotle's statement applies only to virtues, not to traits or things that are wrong as such. So things like stealing or adultery are listed, but also all other wrong things like lying, cheating, etc, are these where there is no scale for the mean between the two extremes. This means it does not apply the "too much or too little" principle does not apply to wrong things. This principle, therefore, is based on real application, it is not about some irrational, imagined virtue, and it certainly depends on the actual situation and purpose. The real purpose of virtues is in fact the appropriate quantity of that virtue, which is rationally determined for the given situation, according to the already stated "neither too much nor too little".