The Ethics of Aristotle - Penn State Hazleton

The Ethics of AristotleFurther, the Excellence of the Moral character is thought toresult in some points from physical circumstances, and tobe, in many, very closely connected with the passions.Again, Practical Wisdom and Excellence of the Moral characterare very closely united; since the Principles of PracticalWisdom are in accordance with the Moral Virtues and theseare right when they accord with Practical Wisdom.These moreover, as bound up with the passions, must belongto the composite nature, and the Excellences or Virtuesof the composite nature are proper to man: therefore so toowill be the life and Happiness which is in accordance withthem. But that of the Pure Intellect is separate and distinct:and let this suffice upon the subject, since great exactness isbeyond our purpose,It would seem, moreover, to require supply of external goodsto a small degree, or certainly less than the Moral Happiness:for, as far as necessaries of life are concerned, we willsuppose both characters to need them equally (though, inpoint of fact, the man who lives in society does take morepains about his person and all that kind of thing; there willreally be some little difference), but when we come to considertheir Workings there will be found a great difference.I mean, the liberal man must have money to do his liberalactions with, and the just man to meet his engagements (formere intentions are uncertain, and even those who are unjustmake a pretence of wishing to do justly), and the brave manmust have power, if he is to perform any of the actions whichappertain to his particular Virtue, and the man of perfectedself-mastery must have opportunity of temptation, else howshall he or any of the others display his real character?[Sidenote: 1178b] (By the way, a question is sometimesraised, whether the moral choice or the actions have most todo with Virtue, since it consists in both: it is plain that theperfection of virtuous action requires both: but for the actionsmany things are required, and the greater and morenumerous they are the more.) But as for the man engaged inContemplative Speculation, not only are such things unnecessaryfor his Working, but, so to speak, they are even hindrances:as regards the Contemplation at least; because ofcourse in so far as he is Man and lives in society he choosesto do what Virtue requires, and so he will need such thingsfor maintaining his character as Man though not as a specu-236