Book 3 / Chapter 8
Paragraph 3 - Virtue and Courage in the Face of Fear
Explanation - Part By Part
"This kind of courage is most like to that which we described earlier, because it is due to virtue; for it is due to shame and to desire of a noble object (i.e. honour) and avoidance of disgrace, which is ignoble."
In this portion, Aristotle is clarifying that the courage demonstrated by citizen-soldiers, as discussed earlier, is closely connected to the idea of true courage—the kind rooted in virtue. He explains that their bravery stems from two key motivations:
1. Shame – They feel a deep sense of accountability to avoid dishonorable behavior, as it would tarnish their reputation and standing in society.
2. Desire for a noble goal – They are driven by the aspiration to achieve honor and recognition, which are seen as virtuous and worthy.
In essence, their courage isn’t just about blindly facing danger; it’s tied to higher values like striving for honor and the fear of disgrace, which is considered something shameful and unworthy. So, this kind of bravery has an element of moral purpose that aligns it with true virtue.
"One might rank in the same class even those who are compelled by their rulers; but they are inferior, inasmuch as they do what they do not from shame but from fear, and to avoid not what is disgraceful but what is painful; for their masters compel them, as Hector does:"
Aristotle continues his discussion of courage and makes an important distinction here. He acknowledges that there are those who act bravely because they are compelled by external forces—such as their rulers or leaders—but he considers this type of courage to be inferior. Why? Because their actions are motivated not by a virtuous sense of honor or the avoidance of shame (as discussed earlier), but rather by fear of punishment or the desire to avoid physical pain or suffering.
The behavior of these individuals is driven by external pressure rather than an internal commitment to virtue or noble ideals. Aristotle points out that this kind of compulsion is exemplified in leaders like Hector in Homer’s works, who threatens punishment or death to soldiers who do not fight, thus forcing compliance out of fear, not from a personal sense of honor or duty.
In short, courage born out of fear of repercussions lacks the moral quality of true courage, which arises from an inner conviction tied to virtue, honor, and the avoidance of disgrace.
"But if I shall spy any dastard that cowers far from the fight, Vainly will such an one hope to escape from the dogs."
In this part, Aristotle is supporting his point by quoting a line from Homer’s Iliad, where Hector, the Trojan hero, warns his soldiers that if he catches anyone cowardly avoiding the battle, they won't be able to escape punishment. Essentially, it’s a strong reminder that fear of consequences—like shame or even tangible threats—can drive people into showing courage, even if their bravery doesn’t come from within but rather from external pressures.
This ties into Aristotle's argument that not all "courage" is the same. Courage driven by fear of punishment or pain (like Hector forcing his soldiers to fight) is inferior to true courage, which arises from a noble motive—like honor and virtue. In simple terms: being forced into bravery out of fear isn't as admirable as stepping up voluntarily for the right reasons.