Aristotelian Virtues (Nicomachean Ethics, Books II–V)
Measuring Virtue, Guiding Action
Measuring Virtue, Guiding Action
Explore below the virtues and their corresponding vices, presented in the authentic structure of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, a foundation for meaningful personal and educational development:
# Sphere of Action Vice (Deficiency) Virtue (Mean) Vice (Excess)
1 — Ignorance of first principles Intellectual intuition (Nous) —
2 — Lack of demonstrative knowledge Scientific knowledge (Episteme) —
3 — Lack of wisdom Wisdom (Sophia) —
4 — Lack of skill Craft/Art (Techne) —
5 — Rashness, poor judgment Practical wisdom (Phronesis) —
6 Fear and confidence Cowardice Courage Rashness
7 Pleasure and pain Insensibility Temperance Intemperance
8 Large resources Meanness Magnificence Vulgarity
9 Small resources Stinginess Generosity Prodigality
10 Minor honor Lack of ambition Proper ambition Over ambition
11 Major honor Small souledness Magnanimity Vanity, arrogance
12 Anger Apathy Gentleness Irascibility
13 Truthfulness Self deprecation Truthfulness Boastfulness
14 Humor Boorishness Wit Buffoonery
15 Social conduct Quarrelsomeness Friendliness Obsequiousness
16 Shame Shamelessness Proper shame Excessive shame
17 General justice Injustice Justice —
18 Distributive justice Inequity Distributive justice —
19 Corrective justice Failure to correct Corrective justice —
20 Indignation Malicious joy Righteous indignation Envy