Look over Chapter 1 section on Aristotle again and think about the lecture. According to Aristotle, moral qualities can be destroyed by both excess and deficiency. A virtue is a mean or balance between these things. Courage, Justice, Modesty, Gentleness, Friendliness are listed as examples. Choose a virtue either listed in the lecture or on the section on Aristotle's Moral Virtue in the book, then think of either a fictitious character from film or literature or real human being that posses these qualities. Describe how this virtue balances between two extremes and how this person fits.
You will be presenting this response at the beginning of class.
15 comments:
In this current political climate only one name comes to mind for an example of a virtuous person. Ron Paul, if only write in votes actually mattered. I'm not this biggest supporter of either candidate that is currently up for the position of Commander and Chief. Both have lied, flip flopped, or gone back on their word. Granted, in my opinion, McCain is the greater villian of these crimes.
Ron Paul has a few of the virtues listed in the orignial post. He is definately courageous. He would have to be to stand up to the rest of his party for an America with less governmental controls. I'm surprised they haven't revoked his members only card. Obviously not a coward to run a campaign so unrepublican against a "maverick war hero". He hasn't been so foolhardy to drop all of the Right's policies. He still stands for Pro-Life and fights against federal restriction on gun ownership.
Truthsworthiness is in my opinion the most important virtue. Because it is tied into all the other virtues, something like a basis for the others. You have to trust to be trusted and be consistent in your actions. Unfortunetly most of us find out that people are not trustworthy until after they betray our trust. Not trusting no body is a bad thing because it limits the type of relationship you will have others. To much trust is also bad you might keep trusting someone that takes advantage of you. Or trust a complete stainger that has "don't trust me" written all over them.
My mother is my best example of a trustworthy person from secrets, to money, to personal advise.
If she offers to do something for you or you ask her to do something she will move heaven and earth to do what she agreed to do.
Ofcourse like any normal person she has her limits but even then she will still give you the chance to redeem your self.
There is a proverb in the Bible that talks about a virtuous woman. It describes her in many different ways. She is someone who buys as well as sells. In her spending she is wise because she invests in things that will reap benefits. She is not frivolous in her spending. This woman is described as someone who works well with her hands and is able to be profitable. She is the mean between spending money and making money.
The virtue of loyalty is an important virtue. I believe my boyfriend James is a very loyal person. When he shows an allegiance to someone or something, his alliance is steadfast. He doesn't falter in his support. He is there when he is needed, and he is overall a wonderful person
Fairness is a difficult social virtue that is sometimes tough to achieve. To most individuals fairness would not be considered the most important virtue in comparison to some others such as honesty, loyalty, and trustworthiness however fairness is very important in community matters to serve human rights. Fairness is difficult to achieve because at times when a person is striving for equality or a means of fairness sometimes the more important virtues become less attentive. Take politicians for example. In order to win popular vote they may lie or stand for one action but then change it for another action or group representing another issue just to go along with the predominant crowd. This type of switching back and forth makes the politician’s loyalty and trustworthiness questionable. Politicians are usually trying to make everyone happy with one game plan that declares equality and fairness for all. However equality will never be synonymous through an entire democracy nation because there are two many different classes of people. Yes we are all the same species and deserve the same rights but because of economic differences it becomes almost impossible to please all. The rich are not going to think its fair that they have to pay more taxes to help those who are not economical well off while the poorer can pay fewer taxes. Even though the tax breakdown may not seem fair to the wealthy it represents fairness for all and balances the two economical extremes.
Christina Spake
If Justice is a virtue or mean between the strict constant corporal punishment of all, and the lax punishment of any, then i believe that a member of the justice league would be a great candidate for someone who fulfills the virtue of justice. This person would be Batman. Aristotle has stated that "The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom." Without the wisdom held there could be no justice because you wouldn't be able to decide what just punishment should be given. Batman, though without special powers like other super heroes, places himself in the sole duty of representing the people of whom he serves through delivering justice to the enemies of these people. I believe that Batman fits into the virtue of justice because if it were to be destroyed by excess, he would kill everyone that he encounters in his tales, since that would be excessive justice for most of the enemies. On the other side, if it were to be destroyed by deficiency, then he would let everyone go and no one would be given any justice at all.
Stephen McIntyre
I think courage is a very important virtue. When you think of courage, you think of someone that is brave enough to jump off of a cliff or something. You think of fearlessness. But in another sense, you need courage every day. You need it to follow your goals, you need it to stick up for yourself when you have to. I think my brother is a very courageous person, because when you are in high school it can sometimes be overwhelming. But he has the courage to stick up for himself when his views are challenged. He never gives in to peer pressure, even if it means that his peers will make fun of him. He has the courage to "just say no." :)
The virtue I chose to write about is toughness. I think that my girlfriend Jessie, exhibits this virtue more then any other person i know. She has gone through many hardships that I can't believe some people have to go through. She exhibits the virtue because she does not fall into one of the two extremes. She is not so hardened that emotions don't show and does not easily crumble when things are hard. It is an important virtue for anyone to have in these economic times.
The virtue of loyalty comes to mind when i think of my brothers, especially my youngest brother Jamaal. We all protect each other from pretty much any and everything. In my entire life, we've never turned out backs on each other. Like other brothers we sometimes fight but its never nothing too serious, five minutes later its like we never had a problem. My brother Jamaal even takes my word over my mom's. Thats just how loyal he is to me. Plus, he knows i would never steer him in the wrong direction or let anything happen to him.
SpongeBob Square Pants is a very virtuous person. He is always kind to others and tries to get along with everyone. This might sound good, but SpongeBob’s powerful kindness can sometimes get him into trouble. He might get stuck with bullies, monsters, or having to deal with many other difficult situations. Yet, no matter the circumstance, SpongeBob Square Pants always makes the best of it, and comes out on top.
-Krystal :3
I believe that honesty is the most important virtue. i believe that it is the backbone of every relationship. Without honesty the relationship either can not be formed of is no longer of value to the people in it. A truly virtious person strives to be the best that they can towards themselves and to all of those around them.
I think Spider-man shows a good balance of virtue for the fact that he has all of this super human powers and doesn't use it in a bad way. When Spider-man was first given his powers he didn't know how to keep that balance of good and he let a robber run right past him cause he was mad as a result his uncle was killed by the same robber. Aristotle has says "The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom." Spider-man learned a hard lesson that day and vowed to always fight for good.
i think acceptance is an important virtue just accepting what you are and where you come from also accepting things in life and learning from your mistakes but not too much to be careless about yourself you should still have goals and purpose in life but i guess just go along with it and stop worrying too much
When i think about virtues, no other person, figure or character comes to my mind as Jesus Christ does.. some of the ways in which he was virtuous are...
Courage: Jesus Christ came to earth, he knew he was going to suffer, he was sent by his father God to save the world, to die for our sins.. and even though he knew what was waiting for him he obeyed, because he was courageous and because he loved us.
Justice: First of all, justice is created by God. He is the one who decides what is just and what is not, that is why many times we think why did this happen to me? and sometimes we dont understand.. but things happen because everything is part of a perfect plan from God. Jesus, even when he was dying in the cross he said" Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" He asked his father for forgiveness for the people who were killing him.. why didnt he ask "father, take revenge and do to them as they had done to me'? because he was fair and just, because he knew that humans make mistakes and that we as humans have no authority to judge any other human for we have all sinned and therefore we all fall short of the glory of God, and even though HE NEVER sinned, he prayed for mercy on us.
Modesty: The Son of God, who was in Heaven rejoicing with his father, came to earth to be a humble servant, to die for us, so that we can live. Even, when he was all of this, he made himself humble, he brought Himself to our level.. because he was modest..because even when he knew he was God, he never bragged.. never became prideful..
Gentleness:In the Bible When the town people were throwing rocks at Mary Magdalene because she was a prostitute.. Jesus came and with simple and few words, he made all of them see how they were just as sinners as she was.. he was gentle to her and he is to each and everyone of us..when we sin and ask forgiveness he forgives us immediately and spreads out him arms to hug us.
Friendliness: Many people think of Jesus as a boring subject But the truth is that he was good to everybody, he was funny and always was in a good and contagious humor. Everybody who lived in his tome always wanted to be around him.. everybody thought he was wise and he was friends with everybody....
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