VIRTUE


INTRODUCTION
As Socrates says “… The most important thing is not life, but the good life”.[1] This very statement explicitly illustrates the rejection of all kinds of immoral actions and institutes the invitation to live a virtuous life. Nevertheless, it is not just sufficient to encourage someone to live a virtuous life without definitively pointing out what virtuous life actually comprises. This very task has been the crucial question which has unfolded in different dimensions to virtue ethicists. Such questions like what is virtue? How is virtue acquired? How is it applied in various life instances? Why should we live a virtuous life?
Irrespective of how direct these questions are, they pose great difficulties to be answered conclusively. Thus it is worthy to note that these same questions have been repetitively asked from the ancient time as it is evident in Plato’s republic and Aristotle’s nicomachean ethics. It further extends through the medieval time as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas attempts to provide a tenable response to it and thus presently in our contemporary period. However these questions which are raised in virtue theory present much difficulty to answer because of their practical undertone i.e. it is quite useless to know all the virtues in this world and not practice any of them but it would be very useful that one practice as much or little virtues one knows. More so, it is difficult to answer because it is not sufficient to theoretically conceptualize myriads of human virtues without applying them to various life instances.
In the light of this ongoing problematic posed by virtue theory, it brings us to the proper subject of our discourse; ‘virtue theory in the thought and teaching of Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas. In order of procedure, an overview of virtue theory would be given especially of how it relates to our course. Furthermore, Aristotelian conception of virtue theory follows immediately; then the Augustinian and Aquinas notions of virtue theory respectively. Having presented their distinct conceptions, an analysis of them would follow suite paying particular attention to their similarities and dissimilarities as well as considering how they answered the questions posed by virtue theory.


1.0  THE NOTION OF VIRTUE THEORY
The Greek word ‘arete’ which means ‘excellence’ is the direct correlative of the term virtue. Thus in relation to the course ethics, it could be known as ‘aretaic ethics’[2] which is a term that relates to the normative ethical theories. Nonetheless, it would be worthy to note that the terms ‘virtue theory and virtue ethics implies the same concept and could be used interchangeably.[3] The term virtue was expressively seen in the works of Plato and Aristotle but Aristotle in his metaphysics points out Socrates as the first Greek virtue philosopher.[4]
1.1 Definition of virtue
The term virtue can be generally agreed to be a character trait, such as a habitual action or settled sentiment. Specifically, it is an excellence of character, a trained behavioral disposition and a positive trait that makes its possessor good and acts well out of spontaneous goodness and serves as examples to inspire others.[5] The distinction between a virtue and a single action can be illustrated as Rosalind Hursthouse says:-
A virtue such as honesty or generosity is not just a tendency to do what is honest or generous, nor is it to be helpfully specified as a desirable or morally valuable character trait. It is, indeed a character trait - that is, a disposition which is well entrenched in its possessor, something that, as we say goes all the way down, unlike a habit such as being a tea-drinker but the disposition in question, far from being a single track disposition to do honest actions, or even honest actions for certain reasons, is multi-track. It is concerned with many other actions as well, with emotions and emotional reactions, choices, values, desires, perceptions, attitudes, interests, expectations and sensibilities. To possess a virtue is to be a certain sort of person with a certain complex mindset. Hence, it is extreme recklessness to attribute a virtue on the basis of a single action.[6]
Virtue ethicist seems to agree that when it comes to virtue, it is not sufficient to be justified by doing the right thing alone, but also having the proper dispositions, motivations, and emotions in being good and doing right thus it is also about character and moral habit.[7]
In the application of virtue, practical wisdom is an acquired trait that enables its possessor to identify the things to do in any given situation.[8] As John McDowell puts it, practical wisdom involves perceptual sensitivity to what a situation requires.[9]
1.2 Classifications of virtues
Traditionally, virtues are classified into two categories;-
a.       Moral virtues: they are closely related with those things that are essential and instrumental for one to live a moral life and are grossly incompatible with immorality. Such virtues like honesty, benevolence, fairness, kindness, conscientiousness, gratitude etc.
b.      Non-moral virtues: they are those kinds of virtues that are not essential to living a moral life however; they also contribute to morality but can be easily misused for immorality. Such virtues include courage, rationality, self-control, patience, endurance, industry, musical talent, cleanliness, wit, etc.
However, this traditional categorization of virtues is quite debatable because of their overlapping nature, i.e. a particular virtue might fall in both categories in respect of its application.[10]
2.0 VIRTUE THEORY IN ARISTOTLE
2.1 Definition and nature of virtue
In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle defined a virtue as a balance point between a deficiency and an excess of a trait. He further describes it as a certain sort of habit or disposition of thinking, feeling, and acting. According to his ‘doctrine of the mean’, virtuous individuals act and feel in a way that lies in a mean between extremes excess and deficiency. However, where the mean lies is not given mathematically, it must not be an exact halfway point between vices, but of the golden mean sometimes closer to one extreme that the other.[11]  For instance, courage is the mean between cowardice and fool hardiness, confidence the mean between self-deprecation and vanity, and generosity the mean between miserliness and extravagance.
Thus Aristotle argued that each of the moral virtues was a mean between the two vices of cowardice and fool hardiness.  Cowardice is the disposition to act more fearfully than the situation deserves, and fool hardiness is the disposition to show too little fear for the situation, courage is the mean between the two, the disposition to show the amount of fear appropriate to the situation. According to Aristotle, thus, human virtue properly speaking is “a state (an excellence, disposition, and strength) that decides, consisting in the mean, and the mean relative to us which is defined by reference to reason, that is, to the reason by reference to which the intelligent person would define it.”[12]
However, it is worthy to note that Aristotle readily underlines certain actions and passions which are inherently bad and that the mention of their names indicates vice. Therefore to such passions and actions, it is futile to apply the concept of the mean to it because either their excessiveness or deficiency makes them neither virtuous nor moral. Such passions and action includes spite, envy, adultery, theft and murder. Aristotle claims that one can never be right in such action because using adultery for example; its goodness cannot be justified by committing it with the right woman, at the right time and in the right way.[13]
2.2 Kinds of virtue
From the Nichomechean Ethics, it is evident that Aristotle’s investigation into the nature of virtue is closely tied to his discussion on the nature of human soul such that it is illogical to successfully distinguish between different types of virtues without first investigating into the faculties of the soul. For Aristotle, the soul is part rational and part irrational.[14] The irrational part is further subdivided into the nutritive and the appetitive soul. The nutritive soul is the cause of growth or reproduction while the appetitive soul is inclined towards the emotions; though it (appetitive part) can be controlled by reason and thus, considered rational. Hence, it is to this appetitive part that ethical virtues and vices belong.
Moreover, the rational part of the soul is also subdivided into the speculative (scientific) soul and the practical (calculative) soul. The speculative soul aims simply at knowing while the practical soul is geared towards particulars and contingent realities and aims at actions or productions.[15] However, the attainment of truth is the task of both the scientific and calculative parts of the rational soul.
With these distinctions on the faculties of the soul, Aristotle hereby adds that “virtue, too, is divided into classes in accordance with this differentiation of the soul. Some virtues are called intellectual and others moral…”[16] With this, he makes a clear distinction between two types of virtue, virtue of thought (Intellectual virtue) and virtue of character (moral virtue). Intellectual virtue is acquired through learning or instructions. They are qualities of the mind such as wisdom, understanding, and judgment. Moral virtues consist in the habit of always choosing the golden mean between two extremes, directed thereto by the intellectual virtue of prudence or practical wisdom.
To begin with, it must be noted that virtue here for Aristotle refers more particularly to the moral virtues such as generosity and temperance. That is, virtues which are more practical than theoretical, like the intellectual virtues of wisdom and intelligence. As it were, Aristotle considers the moral virtues as having a more direct influence on our happiness than the intellectual virtues.[17] Since our topic is limited to Moral virtue, our discussion shall proceed with it.
2.3 Moral Virtue and how they are acquired
Aristotle defines moral virtue alongside its corresponding opposite, vice, as “… a quality disposing us to act in the best way when we are dealing with pleasure and pain, while vice is one which leads us to act in the worst way when we deal with them.”[18] For him, to act in the best way is simply to act in accordance with reason and to act in the worse way is to deviate from the dictates of reason. Hence, for Aristotle, a harmonious interplay of emotions and reason leads to an excellence of character. With this, Aristotle seems to have placed on reason a mark of infallibility as though reason does not lead one to error or act viciously once ones emotions are played out in accordance with reason, for reason moderates the emotions. In addition, it is necessary to have the right disposition to the right things and for the right actions.
Notably, habituation is the process through which one receives the constant disposition to act virtuously; and it is given prime importance in moral virtues, because ethical excellence arises from habituation. These moral excellences are not born with humans nor are they developed by nature, but are rather “adapted by nature to receive them and are brought to perfection by habituation.”[19] Aristotle however, insists that moral excellences are necessarily built up by repetition of individual acts as in acquiring art: “we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts…”[20] It is only by behaving in the right way, that we train ourselves to be virtuous.  For him, we all are born with the potential to be morally virtuous. Just as a musician learns to play musical instrument, we learn virtue by constant imitation of a virtuous person/act, practicing or repetition, until we reach our perfection through habit.  When through habituation, one becomes a just person, which is as a result of the repetition of a particular response in the past; he/she equally attains the disposition to the same response in the future. In other words, if an individual’s acts are constantly just, the individual develops the moral excellence of justice, which is a fixed disposition to respond in a just way in all situations. This is, however, different from the case of an individual who is occasionally just. Such a person cannot be said to possess moral excellence of justice. This obviously poses a fundamental question; how can merely imitating a virtuous person result to being virtuous? We can say that Aristotle tried to answer this question when he explained that merely doing as a virtuous person does is not sufficient for us to be virtuous. Rather, one must do what a virtuous person does in the way he does it.[21]
Similarly, moral evil or vice develops in the same way, by habituation, for one is said to be vicious, if the person has a consistent and persistent disposition to act viciously, that is, missing the ‘mean’ and inclining always either to the excess or defect of a particular action or emotion. The same powers of emotion and action which produce good acts also produce evil acts to develop corresponding vices as Aristotle will put it: “it is from the same causes and by the same means that every virtue is both produced and destroyed, and similarly in every art.” In fact, the goal of moral virtues is to rationally organize the human passions.
For those who presume that a particular virtuous act makes them virtuous, Aristotle explains that to act virtuously is different from being virtuous. Consequently, he proposes three criteria for making a distinction between acting virtuously (by accident) and being virtuous:
a.       The person must know that he/she is doing virtuous actions, that is, proper knowledge.
b.      He/she intends to act virtuously for its own sake, that is, it is chosen deliberately.
c.       He/she does the actions from a well-established habit, firm and certain disposition.[22]
2.4 Why we should be virtuous
From the onset of the nicomachean ethics, Aristotle established the teleological aspect of every human art and inquiry. He further demonstrated that the ultimate end in which every human action is directed is happiness. Aristotle defines happiness as that end which is sought for itself and not for the sake of something else, and to this kind of end he identified virtue to be among. Nevertheless, he points out that we also choose virtue for the sake of happiness, because virtues are sure means that leads to happiness.[23]
3.0 VIRTUE THEORY IN AUGUSTINE
3.1 Augustinian moral philosophy
Influenced by the platonic school and Christian tradition, Augustine develops his moral philosophy towards the attainment of happiness. He recognizes the significance of ‘love’ (especially of God) as the focal point of virtue.[24]  Augustine defines his moral philosophy as an investigation into the ‘supreme good’ (summum bonum) which affords the happiness which person seeks. He further equates happiness with the achievement of wisdom; therefore the objects of desire such as wealth, earthly power, honors, physical beauty etc. do not guarantee happiness, or moral goodness.
In the hierarchical structure of things, Augustine holds God to be the highest point, therefore as material objects that are pulled by its weight towards the center of the earth so also is our desire drawn towards God and for this reason he says “my weight is my love. Wherever I am carried my love is carrying me.” (Confessions 13.9.10) Therefore, to live with the purpose of achieving authentic happiness, is nothing but the love of God with all our heart, with all our soul with the entire mind.
3.2 Definition and nature of virtue
Augustine defines virtue as the perfect love of God which is the love by which one desires that which should be loved. He further gives the definition of the opposite of virtue which is vice; he defines it as the hideous expression of disorderly love. Augustine like Aristotle is of the view that virtues are supposed to lead us to a happy life. Nonetheless, he deviates from Aristotle where attributes the true happiness in God. Thus, he further expresses virtue as the beauty of true love ordered towards God because in his view, to live virtuously is to evaluate and order love in accordance with their true worth, that is, it is the art of living well and rightly.[25] More so, Augustine’s attribution of virtue as an ‘art’ indicates that he conceives virtue and what we acquire and habituate through constant practice.
3.3 Kinds of virtue
In pointing out the kinds of virtue, Augustine almost deviated from the virtues already established by the ancient philosophers. He adopted and gives emphasis on the Pauline virtues of faith, hope and love; however, he assigns the highest significance to love. Augustine rates love highest among all the virtues because he believes that all the virtues find their unity in love God and thus all other virtues are reducible to this highest virtue. Having already summarized all ethical truths into one dictum which is “love God”, Augustine then gives credence to the four cardinal virtues already established in Plato’s republic as he relates to how they are unified in love. The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, courage and temperance. And he relates them to love where he says;-
"For these four virtues (would that all felt their influence in their minds as they have their names in their mouths!), I should have no hesitation in defining them: that temperance is love giving itself entirely to that which is loved; fortitude is love readily bearing all things for the sake of the loved object; justice is love serving only the loved object, and therefore ruling rightly; prudence is love distinguishing with sagacity between what hinders it and what helps it." (De moribus eccl., Chap. xv)
Augustine depicts the prime virtue of love by the double love command taught in the Bible. Jesus decreed us to love not only God but also our neighbor as ourselves. To love our neighbors involves not harming them but promoting their good instead. Love of God thus entails charity, and God, in the end, will judge us on the basis of our reaction to this double love command.
4.0 VIRTUE THEORY IN AQUINAS
Aquinas dealt with various aspects of virtue, which includes the nature of virtue, the seat of virtue, intellectual virtues, the difference between moral and intellectual virtues, the cardinal virtues, the theological virtues, the cause of the virtues, the mean of virtues, reciprocity among the virtues, comparison of virtues and other aspects of virtues. In the course of dealing with these topics, Aquinas answered some important questions concerning virtues. First he answered the question of the meaning of virtue, second he showed that there are different kinds of virtues, third he showed how the virtues are connected, how they are acquired and which virtue is the most important. For the purpose of this work, only three aspects of virtues as discussed by Aquinas would be examined.
4.1 The nature of virtue
Aquinas in dealing with the nature of virtue approached it with raising four important points or questions, first, is human virtue a habit? Second, is it an operative habit? Third, is it a good habit? And fourth, the definition of virtue. Responding to these points Aquinas posited that virtue is habit because it concerns the rational powers proper to a man and these rational powers are not determined to one act but through habits they set towards acts.[26] He goes on to explain further that human virtue is an operative habit because it relates to activities or actions. Since it relates to action it is operative as well as not a being. This he posit to counter the idea which can be deduced from Cicero’s statement that as health and beauty belongs to the body, so virtue belongs to the soul and since health and beauty are not operative virtue is not also operative.[27]  On the point dealing with whether human virtue is a habit, he proceeds by stating the view which is found in the scriptures, that the virtue of sin is the law, which gives a notion that virtue is not always a good habit and also to support this view he points out the idea from St Paul which says that virtue is made perfect by infirmity and since infirmity is an evil, it would seem that virtue is not always a good habit. Aquinas is of the opinion that virtue is a good habit and product of good just as Augustine says that virtue is what makes its possessor good and his work likewise.[28] The fourth article dealing with nature of virtues, the objections gives reasons why good should not be added in the definition of virtue but Aquinas has a contrary opinion which he believes that the formal component of virtue is gathered from the genus and difference. When virtue is defined as good quality, he says that quality is the genus and good the difference but he prefers that quality be exchanged with habit. In the long run, Aquinas has it that the definition of virtue, following in the direction of Augustine, is a good habit by which we live righteously, of which no man can make bad use, which God works in us without us.[29]
4.2 Difference between moral and intellectual virtues
Before we begin the comparison between moral and intellectual virtues, let us briefly consider what moral and intellectual virtues are. Intellectual virtue as the name suggests, perfects the intellectual powers of human being. The intellect has both theoretical and practical activities. The theoretical deals with truths while the practical concerns truths about actions performed. There are three kinds of theoretical intellectual activities and one practical activity. On the moral virtue, Aquinas has it that moral virtues perfects the appetitive powers of the soul, for example the virtue of temperance which concerns pleasures perfect the concupiscible appetite, the virtue of courage perfects the irascible appetite, and the virtue of justice perfects the will.[30] 
In making the distinction between moral and intellectual virtues, five questions were raised. First, whether every virtue is a moral virtue? Second, whether moral virtue differs from intellectual virtues? Third, if virtue is adequately divided into moral and intellectual virtues? Fourth, if there can be virtue without intellectual virtue? And fifth, whether there can be intellectual virtue without moral virtue? To the first question, although it seems that every virtue is a moral virtue, Aquinas has the view that all virtue are not moral virtue. Following Aristotle, in talking of man's morals, we speak of a gentle or sober man, but wisdom and understanding are virtues yet they are not morals so we can have virtues that are not moral virtues. Only virtues in the appetitive powers are moral virtues.[31] On the second question, he says that moral virtues differ from the intellectual virtues, for in the nicomachean ethics where he subscribes to Aristotle writing that moral virtues differ from the intellectual virtues. To confirm this, Aquinas made an assertion that for a man to act well, it is requisite that not only his reason be well disposed through a habit of intellectual virtue but also that his appetite be well disposed through a habit of moral virtue. [32] Concerning the third, Aquinas would believe that the division of the virtue into moral and intellectual captures the whole activity of man. For if the virtue perfects his appetite, it is moral virtue if it perfect man's speculative of practical intellect in order that his activity maybe good, it will be intellectual virtue.[33] Aquinas debunked all the other opinions suggesting that moral and intellectual virtue is not adequate. Concerning the fourth which asks if there can be moral virtue without intellectual virtue, he answers that moral virtue goes along with prudence and prudence is considered as an intellectual virtue. He says that even through moral virtues are habits which have become more like second nature needs prudence and understanding and these two belong to the realm of the intellect. Concerning the fifth question, he says, that other intellectual virtues but not prudence can exist without moral virtue for prudence is right judgment about things to be done.
4.3 Virtue as the Mean
Just as Aristotle discussed virtue as the mean, so also did Aquinas. He did it by addressing these four questions. First all moral virtues observe a Mean? Second, is the mean of moral virtue an objective measure or a measure in thought? Third do the intellectual virtues observe a mean? And fourth, do the theological virtues? Concerning the first Aquinas says that moral virtues observe a mean for between excess and deficiency is the mean which is conformity or equality. For Aquinas moral virtue consist in mean. Concerning the second he responds to the objection raised by stating that the mean of moral virtue is a mean of reason and not a real mean. To the third question he affirms that intellectual virtues observe a mean, for even Aristotle classified art as an intellectual virtue, with observes mean and since 'art' as an intellectual virtue observes mean the intellectual virtue can observe a mean. Concerning the fourth article, Aquinas has it that theological virtues do not consist in a mean. He gave an example that there can never be an excess of hope or excess of faith neither can there an excess of love.
4.4 The source of virtue
Aquinas posited that something is said to be natural to man in two ways; first is according to his specific nature and second according to his individual nature. These two aspects are made relevant in man through his rational soul and material body. In both these ways virtue is natural to man inchoately. This is so in respect of the specific nature, in so far as in man's reason are to be found instilled by nature certain naturally known principles of both knowledge and action, which are the nurseries of intellectual and moral virtues, and in so far as there is in the will a natural appetite for good in accordance with reason. It is therefore evident that all virtues are in us by nature, according to aptitude and inchoation, but not according to perfection, except the theological virtues, which are entirely from without.[34]
5.0 ANALYSIS OF VIRTUE THEORY IN ARISTOTLE, AUGUSTINE AND AQUINAS
As it is evident from the ongoing discussion, the conception of virtue which was set out by Aristotle in the ancient period was continued and enhanced in the medieval period especially in the philosophies of Augustine and Aquinas. Aristotle in constructing his moral theory gives it an aspect of teleology in which every human action is directed towards an end. Furthermore, he posited happiness to be the ultimate end and virtue being the necessary means to this happiness. This Aristotelian view was Christianized by Augustine and Aquinas where they identified the beatific union with God as the ultimate happiness in which every human action is directed. However, despite the fact that their Christianization of Aristotelian teleology was as a result of their Christian disposition, it could also be debatable that it was hinted by Aristotle where he examines the possibility of asserting if one can be said to be entirely happy as he lives, owing to the fact that happiness can be affected by vicissitudes of life.
Aristotle posited that virtue is the excellence of character or habit which makes one disposed to constantly choose the right act because it is rational and contributes to happiness. Augustine however follows Aristotle to posit the contribution of virtue to happiness but enhances his position where he asserts that the happiness every virtue is directed is God and the love for God drives us to him. Augustine illustrates his position where he exemplifies how all other virtues are unified in love and serves love to glory of God.
However, a slight dissimilarity could be seen in Aristotle and Aquinas. Aristotle seems to be of the view that virtues are not born with human but are acquired through learning and habituation. To this view Aquinas seems to deviate where he establishes that every humans are not totally devoid of virtues from birth; he posits the potentiality of virtuous acts which are inchoate in human and is then perfected through habituation.
CONCLUSION
The aim of this work which is to discuss virtue theory as discussed by Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas has to larger extent achieved. From the onset, we set out the questions posed by virtue ethics. What is virtue? How is it applied? What is the source of virtue? Why should we live a virtuous life? We went on to see the various ways these philosophers defined it. Aristotle defined it as a habit of always choosing the mean between two extremes; he further explains how virtue is needed because it is a necessary means to happiness. Augustine and Aquinas being influenced by Christian theology adopts Aristotle conception of virtue; nevertheless, the tailored it towards their Christian heritage. However, as much as could be discussed in virtue theory, we are stilled faced with the reality of always identifying the golden mean between two extreme, since it is not given mathematically. Moreover, as the introduction points out of how useless a life would be if it is not a good life, it encourages us to strive to our possible to always habituate virtuous acts so as to always act as a virtuous person should do because it is rational and leads to the supreme happiness.  



[1] Eds. John M. Cooper and D. S. Hutchinson, Plato complet works: Crito (Hacket publishing company, 1997) p. 42
[2] David Carr and Jan Steutel (eds), Virtue ethics and moral education, (routledge 1999). P.22
[3] Cf. Louis P. Pojman, James Fieser, Ethics: Discovery right or wrong ( USA, Wadsworth, 1976) P.147
[4] Cf. W. D. Ross (trans) Aristotle metaphysics book 6. P. 2221
[5] Cf. Louis P. Pojman, James Fieser, Ethics: Discovery right or wrong ( USA, Wadsworth, 1976) P.147
[6] Rosalind Hursthouse, (ed.) Edward Zalta, virtue ethics (fall 2013)
[7] Cf. Louis P. Pojman, James Fieser, Ethics: Discovery right or wrong ( USA, Wadsworth, 1976) P.147
[8] Edmund Pincoffs, Quandary ethics,  mind (1971) pp. 552-571
[9] John McDowell, virtue and reason, the monist 1979
[10] Cf. Louis P. Pojman, James Fieser, Ethics: Discovery right or wrong ( USA, Wadsworth, 1976) P.147
[11] Michael Slote, (eds) John Skorupski, the Routlege companion to ethic: virtue ethics. (Routledge publication 2010) p.  481
[12] Cf. Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle (Translated and edited by Roger Crisp.  (St. Anns College, Oxford Cambridge University Press, 2004), p. 3.
[13] Cf. W. D. Ross (trans) Aristotle Nicomachean ethics book 6. P. 2571
[14]Cf. Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle (Translated and edited by Roger Crisp.  (St. Anns College, Oxford Cambridge University Press, 2004),  Bk. I, Ch. 13, 1102a 17.
[15] Cf. Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle (Translated and edited by Roger Crisp.  (St. Anns College, Oxford Cambridge University Press, 2004) Bk. 6, Ch. 2, 1139a16-b2.
[16] Cf. Aristotle Nicomachean ethics, Bk. I, Ch. 13, 1102b28-1103a10.
[17] Cf. Aristotle Nicomachean ethics, Bk. I, 1103 a, 5- 1103 b, 30.
[18] Cf. Aristotle Nicomachean ethics, Bk. II, Ch. 3, 1104b20-1105a9.
[19] Cf. Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle (Translated and edited by Roger Crisp.  (St. Anns College, Oxford Cambridge University Press, 2004), Bk. II, Ch. 1, 1103a14-b1.
[20] Cf. Aristotle Nicomachean ethics, Bk. II, Ch. 1, 1103a14-1103b1.
[21] Cf. Aristotle Nicomachean ethics, Bk. II, 1105 a, 5.
[22] Cf. Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle (Translated and edited by Roger Crisp.  (St. Anns College, Oxford Cambridge University Press, 2004), Bk. II, 1105 a, 30.
[23] Cf. W. D. Ross (trans) Aristotle Nicomachean ethics, book 7. P. 2545
[24] Ourhappyschool.com/philosophy/augustines-moral-philosophy-analysis
[25] Ourhappyschool.com/philosophy/augustines-moral-philosophy-analysis
[26]  St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 55, a 2
[27] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 55, a 2
[28] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 55, 3
[29]  People.uwplatt.edu
[30]  People.uwplatt.edu
[31]  St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 58, a 1
[32] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 58, a 2
[33] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 58, a 3
[34]  St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, I-II, q 63, a 1

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