The Importance Of Temperance In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

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Aristotle defines many virtues in his book, Nicomachean Ethics. A virtue, as defined by Book II Chapter 6 of the Nicomachean Ethics, is a state of being where one acts in the mean, acting in moderation, relative to two vices, two extremes, and within reason according to the prudent person (Aristotle 1107a1). One virtue that he speaks to is the virtue of temperance. In the given scenario, Jerry does not practice temperance, but he is incontinent, lacking self-control, because he lies to his boss, so that his boss will allow him to leave to go to get car maintenance; when in reality he is leaving work to indulge himself at an adult book store, but when the chance of getting caught arises he feels guilt and returns back to work. Jerry exhibits …show more content…
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

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