Book 6 / Chapter 8
Paragraph 3 - The Nature of Practical Wisdom and Personal Good
Explanation - Part By Part
"Virtue too is distinguished into kinds in accordance with this difference; for we say that some of the virtues are intellectual and others moral, philosophic wisdom and understanding and practical wisdom being intellectual, liberality and temperance moral."
Aristotle here is pointing out that virtues are divided into different categories based on their nature. Specifically, there are intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Intellectual virtues involve the mind and the act of reasoning, such as philosophic wisdom (the ability to understand profound truths about the world), understanding (comprehension of things), and practical wisdom (the capacity to make sound decisions about everyday life). These virtues relate to knowledge and clear thinking.
On the other hand, moral virtues are more about character and behavior, like liberality (generosity) and temperance (self-control or moderation). These are concerned with how we interact with others and manage our desires or emotions.
In simpler terms, intellectual virtues are about thinking well, while moral virtues are about acting and feeling well. Both types are crucial to leading a good and fulfilled life, but they address different aspects of what it means to be a virtuous person.
"For in speaking about a man's character we do not say that he is wise or has understanding but that he is good-tempered or temperate; yet we praise the wise man also with respect to his state of mind; and of states of mind we call those which merit praise virtues."
Aristotle is here making an important distinction between the kinds of qualities we admire in people. When we describe someone's character, we often use terms like "good-tempered" or "temperate," which refer to their behavior, emotional control, or moral disposition. These qualities are virtues of character, and they reflect a person's ability to act rightly and moderately.
However, Aristotle points out that we also praise wise individuals—that is, people who possess practical wisdom—because of their state of mind. This indicates that wisdom is not just about being intellectually sharp or knowledgeable; it's a praiseworthy mental condition that guides action. Practical wisdom is a kind of virtue, one that involves not only knowing what is good but also knowing how to achieve it in one's life and decisions.
In essence, Aristotle is connecting intellectual virtues like wisdom with moral virtues, suggesting that both are states of excellence (or virtue) that deserve admiration, but they operate in different parts of a person—character versus intellect.