The Aristotelian Virtues
If the proper function (telos or ergon) of human persons qua rational animal is happiness (eudaimonia) or living well (eu zên), then happiness is the activity of the rational soul In accordance with excellence, or virtue. Virtues are context appropriate means (the golden mean) between an excess and a deficit with respect to some action or emotion. Aristotle identifies at least the following, although we ought not take this to be an exhaustive list.
|
Activity or Emotion |
Deficit |
Mean |
Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fear and Confidence |
Cowardice |
Courage |
Rashness |
|
Pleasure and Pain |
Insensibility |
Temperance |
Licentiousness/Self-indulgence |
|
Getting and Spending |
Illiberality/Meanness |
Liberality |
Prodigality |
|
Getting and Spending |
Pettiness |
Magnificence |
Vulgarity |
|
Honour and Dishonour |
Pusillanimity |
Magnanimity |
Vanity |
|
Honour and Dishonour |
Unambitiousness/undue humility |
Proper ambition/pride |
Ambition/empty vanity |
|
Anger |
Lack of spirit/unirascibility |
Patience/Good temper |
Irascibility |
|
Self-expression |
Understatement/mock modesty |
Truthfulness |
Boastfulness |
|
Conversation |
Boorishness |
Wittiness |
Buffoonery |
|
Social Conduct |
Cantankerousness |
Friendliness |
Obsequiousness |
|
Shame |
Shamelessness |
Modesty |
Shyness |
|
Indignation |
Malicious enjoyment/Spitefulness |
Righteous indignation |
Envy |
(Adapted from J.A.K. Tomson)