"The concept of Softness and Endurance" Passivity and Steadfastness according to Aristotle

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Philosophy - Girls' College - Ain Shams University

Abstract

The research raises important ethical problem, which is softness and endurance according to Aristotle. The problem is related to Failure to adjust rhythm of pain in our lives. Since escape from the pain is a softness, while enduring excessive pain is hardness, and endurance is a condition in which the rhythm of pain is adjusted.
The importance of controlling rhythm of pain in our lives is associated with moral problems such as: softness, hardness, recklessness, Licentious, Akrasia, enkratia, insensibility, obstinateness, that prevent a person from realizing himself, building his reality. Hoping that the ancient thought will inspire us to understand this problem and find solutions for it, so that a person can get rid of passivity and surrender and rush towards work, resistance, steadfastness, appreciating the value of life, to rise from our slump.
Endurance is steadfastness in the face of pain without struggle, without victory over desire. Enkratia is victory over it after resistance. Softness is surrender to it without resistance. Akrasia is defeat after resistance. Softness is divided into: extreme softness, Unmanliness, Unqualified softness. Acts of endurance are "mixed acts", combines will and compulsion.
Enduring of pain is not the same as insensitivity, and his pain exceeds the pain of the obstinate, and exceeds the pain of self- restraint because his pain is longer, nor is it recklessness. The best way to get rid of softness combines tenderness and cruelty: training to endure pain, physical exercise & learning music.

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