Nicomachean Ethics
In Nicomachean Ethics, Book IV, Chapter 3, Aristotle discusses the qualities of a magnanimous (i.e. great-souled) person. A magnanimous person is someone who has genuine pride and authentic self-esteem due to possessing real virtues and accomplishments. According to Aristotle, such a person is very different from a vain person. (A vain person lacks virtue and only has false pride and faked self-esteem.)
Describe the most important qualities of character that, according to Aristotle, a magnanimous person has. How do these differ from the qualities of character that, according to Aristotle, a vain person has? Use specific examples from the text.
Sample Solution
Aristotle describes the magnanimous person as someone who is:
- Aware of their own worth:Â The magnanimous person has a realistic and accurate assessment of their own strengths and weaknesses. They are not arrogant or conceited, but they do have a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
- Ambitious:Â The magnanimous person sets high goals for themselves and strives to achieve them. They are not afraid of challenges and are confident in their ability to succeed.
Full Answer Section
- Generous:Â The magnanimous person is generous with their time, money, and resources. They are not selfish or materialistic.
- Forgiving:Â The magnanimous person is able to forgive others for their mistakes. They do not hold grudges or seek revenge.
- Humble:Â Despite their accomplishments, the magnanimous person remains humble. They do not put themselves above others or seek attention.
- Overestimates their own worth:Â The vain person has an inflated sense of their own importance. They believe that they are better than others and deserve special treatment.
- Is not ambitious:Â The vain person does not set high goals for themselves. They are more interested in appearing successful than in actually achieving anything.
- Is selfish:Â The vain person is selfish and materialistic. They are more interested in accumulating possessions and wealth than in helping others.
- Is unforgiving:Â The vain person is unable to forgive others for their mistakes. They hold grudges and seek revenge.
- Is arrogant:Â The vain person is arrogant and conceited. They believe that they are superior to others and seek attention.
- Aristotle says that the magnanimous person "thinks himself worthy of great things, and is really worthy of them" (1124a2-3). This contrasts with the vain person, who "overestimates their own worth" (1124a10).
- Aristotle says that the magnanimous person "is not ambitious in the ordinary sense" (1123b22). This is because the magnanimous person is not interested in appearing successful, but in actually achieving great things. This contrasts with the vain person, who "is not ambitious" in the sense that they do not set high goals for themselves.
- Aristotle says that the magnanimous person "is generous with their time, money, and resources" (1124a27). This is because the magnanimous person is not selfish or materialistic. This contrasts with the vain person, who "is selfish" and materialistic" (1124a10).
- Aristotle says that the magnanimous person "is able to forgive others for their mistakes" (1124a28). This is because the magnanimous person is not vindictive or petty. This contrasts with the vain person, who "is unforgiving" (1124a10).
- Aristotle says that the magnanimous person "does not put themselves above others or seek attention" (1124a29). This is because the magnanimous person is humble. This contrasts with the vain person, who "is arrogant" and conceited" (1124a10).