Aristotle and Moral Virtues

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.

Platos Cave

For Homework read Chapter 1.

You have two choices.. if you choose option 2, please post a discription of your project and if possible a link illustrating it.

OPTION 1:

Write a reflection comparing the film the Matrix to what you learned in the lecture about Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Below is a link to the Allegory of the Cave from Plato's book THE REPUBLIC:
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/allegory.html

Be sure to include examples of some things you found in common. In the film the Matrix.. what realm do you think is most like the cave, most like being in the sun.. What are the shadows? Think about some of the terms discussed in the lecture.

OR,

OPTION 2:

Create a work of art, video, website or interactive project that illustrates Plato's myth of the cave. This can be low tech like a drawing or collage or this can be done with a camera and computer programs. Feel free to encorporate current events or issues in the work.

We will discuss at the beginning of class next week.