Abstract
I argue that, in Plato's Laws, demotic virtues (968a2) are the virtues that non-divine beings can attain. I consider two related questions: what demotic virtues are and how they relate to divine virtue. According to my interpretation, demotic virtues are an attainable - but unreliable - type of virtue that non-divine beings can improve through knowledge. These virtues are not perfect; only divine beings possess perfect virtue. However, this does not mean that perfect virtue plays no part in the ethical lives of non-divine beings. It serves as a “regulative ideal” for everyone who is not a god.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 139-163 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Apeiron |
| Volume | 57 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2024 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- demotic
- divine
- Laws
- paradigm
- Plato
- virtue
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Science
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