Study Guide

The Nicomachean Ethics Book 7, Chapter 4 (1147b20-1148b14)

Book 7, Chapter 4 (1147b20-1148b14)

Can a person lack self-restraint generally? Or does it have to be directed toward a particular something?
Aristotle reiterates that all things relating to self-restraint have to do with pleasures and pains.
Those who are LSR (lacking self-restraint) are usually said to err regarding something specific relating to these (i.e. money, honor, sex, etc.).
But there are those who are obsessed with pleasures generally (especially the bodily ones). These people lack self-restraint "unqualifiedly," without further specification.
This is why the person LSR is lumped together with the licentious person.
The difference: the person LSR does not choose pleasure; he chases it against his better understanding.
It's possible to desire noble things that give pleasure (honor, victory—even money) in excessive ways. Aristotle doesn't think these people are corrupt, since what they desire is good.
However, they can still go overboard in unhealthy ways and become base. These are not people LSR, but may be perceived as such by others.

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