Philosophy - Aristotle’s Concept of Virtue and the Comic Strip of Calv

Aristotles Concept of Virtue and the Comic Strip of Calvin and Hobbes One of the many hesitancys with which Aristotle is concerned in the Nicomachean Ethics is What is truth and who is the virtuous man? However, this hesitancy of virtue is not considered in a vacuum. Aristotles preaching, far from amounting to mere ethereal musings, is firmly launched in the everyday of life and consideration. So, in discussing the ideas of Aristotle, it is appropriate, and even necessary, that we ground our discussion in a like manner. That is, we should turn to a concrete example in order to help clarify Aristotles discussion of virtue in the Ethics. Thus we are presented with our first dilemma who to choose as this concrete example of which we have spoken. In order to desex this, we should first determine to whom it is that Aristotle addresses himself and his discussion, as it will obviously do us no practiced to attempt to apply the ideas which Aristotle sets forth to a personage who m he discounts or, at least, to whom he merely does not address himself. In general, it is fair to say that Aristotle attempts to address the bulk of mankind. In doing so, Aristotle assumes some very basic morality as a grounds for the proceeding discussion, and those who expect the discussion to be applicable to their own lives must have done the same. That is, to be a competent student of what is adjust and just, and of politics generally, one must first have received a proper upbringing in moral conduct (Arist. 1.4.5).1 In addition, integral to the discussion is the geography of the soul which Aristotle provides, and thus it would be helpful in our concrete example if it were also to provide a somewhat tangible expression of this juxtaposi... ...ng good when one has an innate inclination towards evil.Closeup on Calvin as he packs snow in his hands, forming a snowball.Calvin I think one good act by me, even if its just to get presents, should count as five good acts by some swee t tempered kid motivated by the pureness of his heart. Dont you?Susie Durkins (Calvins archenemy) enters the frame. Calvins arm is cocked with the snowball in hand. Hobbes is barely visible in the frame, but it is important to note he has reverted to his stuffed-animal state.Calvin Hey SusieThe snowball hits Susie in the back of the head with a POW knocking her to the ground.Calvin and Hobbes (now in his live-animal state) sprint across the snow in flight.Hobbes Of course, in your case the question is academic.Calvin I wanted to put a rock in the snowball, but I didnt That should be worth a lot