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

Aristotle’s Concept of Virtue and the Comic Strip of Calvin and Hobbes One of the many questions with which Aristotle is concerned in the Nicomachean Ethics is: What is virtue and who is the virtuous man? However, this question of virtue is not considered in a vacuum. Aristotle’s discussion, far from amounting to mere ethereal musings, is firmly grounded 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 Aristotle’s 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 determine this, we should first determine to whom it is that Aristotle addresses himself and his discussion, as it will obviously do us no good to attempt to apply the ideas which Aristotle sets forth to a personage whom 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 right 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 helpf ul 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 it’s just to get presents, should count as five good acts by some sweet tempered kid motivated by the pureness of his heart. Don’t you? Susie Durkins (Calvin’s archenemy) enters the frame. Calvin’s 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 Susie! The 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 didn’t! That should be worth a lot!