If temperance is the mean of this virtue, insensibility and intemperance would be the vices of this virtue. There are levels of temperance or intemperance between the vices. Continence and incontinence are two levels that occur between the mean of temperance and the extreme of intemperance. Jerry exhibits incontinence, this is evident because he has base appetites, acts upon them, and is overcome by pleasure yet he exhibits guilt by returning to work when there is a potential to be caught. As defined in chapter 7 of Book 7 of the Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, incontinence is defined as not having self-control (Aristotle 1150b20). This means that one cannot resist their pleasures, but they know it is wrong. It is evident that Jerry knows that this act is wrong based on where he parks his vehicle when he arrives at the adult book store. He hides his vehicle so that no one will know he is there. Thus he is aware that there is something wrong with being at the adult book store during the time he is supposed to be working. Also, the awareness of wrong-doing is sometimes expressed through guilt (Aristotle 1150b20). When Jerry stops the robber and the cashier begins to call the cops, Jerry realizes that he might be identified. By going back to work he is demonstrating that he feels guilty for leaving work and possibly leaving Judy with the extra work causing her to cancel her plans. He could have chosen to go home after the fiasco at the adult book store, but he chose to go back to work. This demonstrates that Jerry, at a minimum, feels bad for leaving work to engage in these pleasures. This is not to be confused with continence, which some may claim Jerry exhibited here. Continence is having the desires of intemperance, but choosing not to act upon them. Although Jerry did not engage in the pleasure, he had the full intention to indulge and was not stopped by reason. Jerry was prevented in
If temperance is the mean of this virtue, insensibility and intemperance would be the vices of this virtue. There are levels of temperance or intemperance between the vices. Continence and incontinence are two levels that occur between the mean of temperance and the extreme of intemperance. Jerry exhibits incontinence, this is evident because he has base appetites, acts upon them, and is overcome by pleasure yet he exhibits guilt by returning to work when there is a potential to be caught. As defined in chapter 7 of Book 7 of the Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, incontinence is defined as not having self-control (Aristotle 1150b20). This means that one cannot resist their pleasures, but they know it is wrong. It is evident that Jerry knows that this act is wrong based on where he parks his vehicle when he arrives at the adult book store. He hides his vehicle so that no one will know he is there. Thus he is aware that there is something wrong with being at the adult book store during the time he is supposed to be working. Also, the awareness of wrong-doing is sometimes expressed through guilt (Aristotle 1150b20). When Jerry stops the robber and the cashier begins to call the cops, Jerry realizes that he might be identified. By going back to work he is demonstrating that he feels guilty for leaving work and possibly leaving Judy with the extra work causing her to cancel her plans. He could have chosen to go home after the fiasco at the adult book store, but he chose to go back to work. This demonstrates that Jerry, at a minimum, feels bad for leaving work to engage in these pleasures. This is not to be confused with continence, which some may claim Jerry exhibited here. Continence is having the desires of intemperance, but choosing not to act upon them. Although Jerry did not engage in the pleasure, he had the full intention to indulge and was not stopped by reason. Jerry was prevented in