Thank you Dr. Sadler! Once again, very interesting. I had no idea that the four cardinal virtues were present in more than one philosophy. Without a doubt, I gained new knowledge today.
One virtue that I often see discussed in Stoic texts, particularly by Seneca, is “greatness of soul”. I’m not entirely sure what this virtue is exactly for the Stoics but I always interpreted as: one who possesses all 4 virtues has greatness of soul. Would you say that’s a fair interpretation?
That would be a wrong interpretation of magnanimity as the Stoics understand it. They place it as one of the subordinate virtues under the cardinal virtue of courage.
Why do you think Spinoza had such a different view on virtues than most other philosophers? From what I could understand when rearing "Ethics", he basically equals virtue to power to act according to one's true nature without being driven by passions that arise due to external influences.
Thanks Greg, There is a lot to unpack here...Definitely a degree of difference between the Stoics and Aristotle....I often reflect on Seneca's Passage: "There is no difference between the Virtue of keeping pleasure within bounds and enduring torture while wearing out the torturer while lying on the rack ". On Various Aspects of Virtue....... and Aristotle's "For it far more difficult to overcome painful circumstances than limiting pleasurable ones...and thus Courage is justly praised, because with courage comes pain " Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics
If you think Ancient Greek philosophy is a disaster, this probably isn't the place for you
Thank you Dr. Sadler! Once again, very interesting. I had no idea that the four cardinal virtues were present in more than one philosophy. Without a doubt, I gained new knowledge today.
You're very welcome
One virtue that I often see discussed in Stoic texts, particularly by Seneca, is “greatness of soul”. I’m not entirely sure what this virtue is exactly for the Stoics but I always interpreted as: one who possesses all 4 virtues has greatness of soul. Would you say that’s a fair interpretation?
That would be a wrong interpretation of magnanimity as the Stoics understand it. They place it as one of the subordinate virtues under the cardinal virtue of courage.
I wasn’t even close. Lol. Magnanimity makes much more sense.
Thanks so much for clarifying it Gregory!
Thanks for the interesting read.
You’re welcome!
Thanks, Dr. Sadler! I definitely needed to read this. Thank you for taking time to share it. I feel smarter.
You're welcome!
Why do you think Spinoza had such a different view on virtues than most other philosophers? From what I could understand when rearing "Ethics", he basically equals virtue to power to act according to one's true nature without being driven by passions that arise due to external influences.
Spinoza is his own thing. And like I said in the piece, different people mean different things by the same words
" Blessedness is not the reward of Virtue but Virtue itself " Spinoza
"It is not because we can restrain our lusts that we are blessed; because we are blessed we can restrain our lusts " Spinoza
Spinoza is pretty much irrelevant here. Let's keep the conversation focused on the actual thinkers and schools discussed in the article
I was replying to him about Spinoza since he asked about Spinoza
Yes, zero need to do that on your part. Not looking for readers to comment on other readers' irrelevant comments.
Thanks for a great read with my coffee this morning.
You're welcome!
Thanks Greg, There is a lot to unpack here...Definitely a degree of difference between the Stoics and Aristotle....I often reflect on Seneca's Passage: "There is no difference between the Virtue of keeping pleasure within bounds and enduring torture while wearing out the torturer while lying on the rack ". On Various Aspects of Virtue....... and Aristotle's "For it far more difficult to overcome painful circumstances than limiting pleasurable ones...and thus Courage is justly praised, because with courage comes pain " Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics
Degrees of difference between Aristotle and everyone else, including the Stoics