LE: A Key to Lincoln's Aristotelian Virtue

When we discussed Aristotle's virtues today in class, we articulated the idea that for every virtue, (as he writes) has two negative and un-virtuous character traits, both lacking and secondly, overcompensating for the virtue.  For courage lies between cowardice and foolhardiness, temperance between indulgence and intolerance, and so on.

Perhaps the concept of balance that comes with exemplifying virtue is more deliberative for some people, rather than those of whom certain virtue is habituated to the point of intuitively quick actions when conflict arises.  Lincoln was notably cautious and deliberative, as we have established as well.  Thoughts?

LE: The Individual, and Moral Examination

Today in class, we discussed Aristotle's take on the thought experiment involving the killing (or not) of one person, to prevent the subsequent murder of ten people.  I was very satisfied with the conclusions we reached in class.  I do think that Aristotle would not even begin to analyze a scenario like that, and the question would have no relevance to his theory either.

I did however, think that the way in which Aristotle examines the individual versus the community (polis) and the relevance and effect they have on one another, compared to many loci of cultures in eastern nations, where the community, external factors, or state all take priority over the individual, whether the question is level of importance, or simply the causal factors from community to individual, rather than individual to community.  Thoughts?

LE: Aristotle's Theory of Forms

We talked in class today about one of the key differences between Aristotle's view of forms, compared to Plato's theory of Forms.

One of the key differences we highlighted in is powerfully illustrated in the painting, The School of Athens, by Raphael, where one can see the hand of Plato pointing upwards, alluding to an existentialist world, where the realm of true forms exist.  Aristotle defers to the ground, expressing his view that true forms reside within their physical objects, and are inexplicably part of the object, yet invisible to the human eye (as well as indivisible from the physical object itself).

                                                                                              

                                                                               

Dealing with these concepts can be particularly challenging at times, but here is an example that helped me grasp the concept.

Imagine a red ball.  Or just hold a real one.  As we discussed in class, multiple forms can be present in an object.  We know this, because we can see simpler objects combining to create other, more complex ones.  A few forms clearly illustrated in the ball are a circle, and the form of the color red.  It is very clear that both of these forms are part of the ball, as it is defined by the very characteristics that the forms give it.  However,

what if I asked you to show me the redness of the ball? Or to show me just the circular quality of the ball?

Despite the fact that we can identify these forms as part of the physical object, we can in no way separate them from other forms, or the object itself. This roughly illustrates Aristotle's view of forms and their place in the physical world.