Handout #1: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics 7 — Moral Weakness (Incontinence) Phil 309 – Dr. T.

Hoffmann

You know what is You act by choice (i.e.

You have base good and want to do according to the You regret the base
You do what is good? You are blamed?
appetites? it (even against conclusion of your action?
appetite)? deliberation)?
No
7.2.1146a9–12
Yes
7.9.1152a1–2
self-control / [Yes] [Yes] 2.6.1106b36 [Does not apply] [Does not apply]
no pleasure in viola-
temperance cf. 3.11.1119a20
ting right reason:
7.9.1152a2–3
Pleasures of touch and taste

Yes
moral strength / Yes
7.2.1146a12–14 [Yes] [Yes] [Does not apply] [Does not apply]
continence 3.2.1111b13–15
7.9.1152a1
(7.7.1050a9)

No
Yes
Yes 7.3.1146b23f.
7.4.1148a2–5; b5f.
moral weakness / cf. 7.2.1146a28 7.4.1148a9–17 Yes
[Yes] [No] Not bad in the un-
incontinence 7.8.1150b36 7.7.1150a25–30 7.8.1150b30–31
qualified sense:
7.8.1151a12 7.8.1151a7
7.8.1151a25
3.2.1111b13–15

No Yes
7.8.1150b35 7.3.1146b23f. No
self-indulgence / Yes
[Yes] 7.8.1151a12–20, [No] 7.4.1148a16f. 7.7.1150a21–22
intemperance cf. 3.5.1113b12–17
cf. 3.1.1110b31–34, 7.7.1150a20 7.8.1150b29–30
cf. 7.9.1152a6 7.8.1151a7

tenaciousness /
Pain (7.4.1147b23f.

[Yes] [Does not apply]

endurance
7.7.1050a12-14)

softness [No] [No]