# Aristotle — The Theory of Moral Sentiments character guide

> Aristotle in The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0064-i-of-those-systems-which-make-virtue-consist-in-propriety

## Who they are

Greek philosopher cited on propriety and the nature of virtue.

## Relationships

### [Plato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/plato)

_professional_

Aristotle was Plato's student and later a critic of his theory of Forms.

### [Cicero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/cicero)

_psychological_

Cicero admired and drew upon Aristotle's ethical works, treating him as a foundational authority.

## In the story

### [Part VII: Of Systems of Moral Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/part-vii-of-systems-of-moral-philosophy)

Aristotle's system of virtue as a mean between extremes is mentioned.

### [Of Those Systems Which Make Virtue Consist in Propriety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-of-those-systems-which-make-virtue-consist-in-propriety)

Aristotle's virtue as a mean between extremes and as a habitual disposition is examined and compared to Plato's view.

### [Of Those Systems Which Make Virtue Consist in Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/ii-of-those-systems-which-make-virtue-consist-in-prudence)

Grouped with Plato and Zeno as holding that virtue is intrinsically valuable and that man's happiness consists in the propriety of active exertions.

### [Section IV: Of the Manner in Which Different Authors Have Treated of the Practical Rules of Morality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/section-iv-of-the-manner-in-which-different-authors-have-treated-of-the-practical-rules-of-morality)

Mentioned as an ancient moralist who, in his 'Ethics', points out habits like liberality, magnificence, and magnanimity.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in a footnote discussing distributive justice in the Nicomachean Ethics.

## Links

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