Questions for Oral Answers: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book 4 (with
emphasis on chapter 3 on “greatness of soul”)
1. Read Book 4, chapter 1. What is the virtue of liberality? Make a list of the ways in
which the person who has the virtue of liberality differs from the person with
either the vice of prodigality or the vice of stinginess. Which does Aristotle
consider to be more of a problem—prodigality or stinginess? Why?
2. Skip over chapter 2 and spend the rest of your time focusing intently on chapter 3,
which treats the virtue of “greatness of soul” (megalopsuchia).
3. To learn what greatness of soul is, we begin with what greatness of soul is not.
What does Aristotle mean by the “vain” person? What does he mean by being
“small-souled”?
3. If greatness of soul is a virtue, we would expect it to a mean between excess and
deficiency? Is it? What does Aristotle say?
4. When Aristotle says that the great souled man is especially concerned with honor
and dishonor, what do you think he means? Base your answer on your close
reading of pp. 77-8.
5. “It is better to give than to receive.” What would the great-souled man think of
this maxim? Why?
6. Should we admire the great-souled man, as Aristotle portrays him? Ought we to
try to be like him? List three qualities that you admire about him. Then give at
least one quality that you do not find admirable.
2. Why is stinginess more opposed to the virtue of generosity than extravagance?
3. Is the virtue of high-mindedness (or great-souledness, more literally) available to
everyone?
4. What is the megalopsuchos (high-minded or great-souled person) most concerned
with?
5. How is the megalopsuchos both like and unlike Socrates as portrayed in the
Apology?
6. “It is better to give than to receive.” How would the megalopsuchos understand
this maxim?
7. Why does Aristotle think that never feeling angry, far from being admirable, is
actually a vice?
8. Is being short-tempered the worst thing in the world?
9. Is it a virtue to understate one’s good qualities?
10. What is the difference between the witty person and the buffoon?
11. Why do the young need shame? Why will the virtuous adult lack a sense of
shame?