The Virtue From The Point Of View Of The Sophists, Plato And Aristotle

The virtue from the point of view of the sophists, Plato and Aristotle

In the following trial, the relationship established between the point of view of the sophists, Plato and Aristotle will deal with; As for the issue of virtue.

First it is indicated that, the human being since its inception began with the question that it was correct to develop a life as an individual and one in society; But after the time the human being meets certain differences. Starting with his lifestyle, followed by his beliefs and the political power that he could develop. It develops from the behavior of man in society to the type of life he will lead in this, since a society is established by man, which is shy and weak before other species and dangers, which is why the need to be accompanied arises, using it as support and thus develop their virtues.

Second, when talking about the sophists we can say that, they are based on the origins, this being the state of nature of the human being, at this time in history they were based on the fact that a person must act according to the measure of the “divine ”, Being this reference to the gods, (taking into account that it was a polytheistic culture); Returning to the theme of man, they tell us that this in natural state consists of "negative virtues" such as selfishness, hypocrisy, etc. For which his response as a society is that, to leave this state, he must develop in art and science, the person must live well and in peace, which he achieves by being social and through praxis, which leads to virtue ; of which it tells us that justice and mutual respect come out, these being called two types of virtue.

This being the position they have, in which they indicate that virtue can be studied, learning and teaching; knowing that they are based on the fact that habits are taught and reach virtue acting virtuously.

Third, we have Plato, the virtue "is not alone", since next to her is justice and education; which takes us to a virtuous man, one who passes through the entire pedagogical process. For Plato there are two parts, the body; And the soul. Then he tells us that virtue is a divine gift, which says that virtue is similar to excellence. On the other hand he tells us that the lonely man is not or is oblivious to a society, he will not be virtuous or prudent with his actions, since to develop it, he requires a political society. Then, Plato places virtue in the world of ideas (intangible) that for the Son Cardinal Virtues (Temperance, strength, prudence and justice). For which the person is virtuous depending on how much he approaches perfectly.

Fourth, Aristotle is found, he describes virtue as a habit, indicating that it is an average term between excess and defect, determined by the reason of a prudent person. He also tells us that the virtue that although virtue consists of a medium term, this requires the person to improve through constant effort. When choosing, he shows us virtue as a rational tool, within an intellectual dimension; You must choose prudently but at the same time conviction, that is, to have a mood to do things but not to pass to the vicious side of this.

In the same way we must take into account that being a medium term, it turns out to be easy to make a mistake and difficult to get. So that he shows us two types of virtues; Ethical virtue and dianothetic virtue, with the first refers to the correction of character and custom; such as temperance, justice and strength, one that can be taught over time; While with the second, also called "intellectuals", it refers to prudence, science and wisdom.

Aristotle says that virtue is the most appropriate action to the nature of each being, for which, if a person wishes to reach any of these two types of virtues, it requires living in the center of an adequate political and society organization to be.

In conclusion, of these three philosophers rescue the idea of ​​living in a society, both to be better in individual and society; Improve and develop moral behavior, devised to the environment, being more than clear to avoid the isolation of man. Since this would take him away from his common purpose, which is happiness. For which they indicate that virtue, studies diverse customs and habits from a point of principle, such as being efficient, responsible, impartial, supportive and acting with equity. A person must be free, independent and rational, thus when a person or society criticizes this we can correct mistakes. Saying in general terms that the human being cannot live without virtue, since this is a primary foundation that the human being needs to live well and in peace with society. From my point of view, I consider the definition of Aristotle correctly, since it shows that the virtue itself is an average term, a person cannot act impulsively, we have to be rational with what we do and say, and as he says well , it is not difficult to succeed and make mistake. If by living in society a person in his daily life makes decisions from the simplest to the most complex, he always does it looking for the best for himself, for which the person thinks of his benefits and is not affecting third parties, being being an impartial point in life of others but improving or being the right thing in that of oneself; But if the decision affects others in the sense of the right thing to define it as a person who is not virtuous, it would be ideal, in my opinion.