Question

Analyze and comment on Epictetus’ statement as it relates to behaving with virtue: “Some things are up to us and some are not up to us.”

Analyze the claim by Foot that “virtue belongs to the will.” Explain your understanding of the relationship between virtue and the will. Is virtue a relevant influence to our lives today? Provide reasons and examples to support your view. Analyze the claim by Foot that “virtue belongs to the will.” Explain your understanding of the relationship between virtue and the will. Is virtue a relevant influence to our lives today? Provide reasons and examples to support your view.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Virtue is a set of objectively good characteristics that a human being might possess. These characteristics might include but are not limited to courage, honour, integrity, honesty and others. ‘Will’ is the simply the decision to act upon these virtues. When Foot claimed that, “Virtue belongs to will,” he meant that virtue alone is nothing if it isn’t mastered and wielded by a strong will. In other words, being truthful isn’t enough when one doesn’t have the will to speak the truth if the situation demands it. ‘Will’ is, therefore, the master of ‘virtue’.

When Epictetus claims that “Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us,” he typically means that our virtue and will are up to us. However, his statement alludes that the situation or circumstance itself is not up to us. Therefore, he means that one’s situation might not always be within their control but, how they choose to act on it is mostly within their grasp.

Virtue is indeed one of the most relevant influences that are inflicted upon our will. Experiences, people, resources and other factors also might affect our will. For instance, if one might decide to be brave in the face of danger, it might be because of the support of a loved one, the backing of viable resources and above all because of the virtue of courage.