Question

Textbook: Great Traditions in Ethics, 12th edition

Aristotle states "from this it is also plain that none of the moral virtues arises in us by nature; for nothing that exists by nature can form a habit contrary to its nature". I'm not convinced solely by his example of a rock being thrown upwards that there are no moral virtues that are intrinsic. Please help expand upon this?

Answer 1

According to Aristotle, virtues are not something that are innate or inherent to us. He asserted that moral virtues come about by habit. When something comes about by habit, Aristotle explains, it cannot be regarded as natural as it is acquired through learning and training. We are not born knowing how to be good. Aristotle uses the example of a ball being thrown upwards to illustrate that anything that comes about by nature cannot be changed or habituated to do otherwise. On the other hand, moral virtues are different. With some practice, human beings are able to change their behavior.