The Aristotelian phaulos: A Missing Piece?

Abstract

This paper shows a detailed and documented exposition of what should be a new figure in the Aristotelian moral typology, the figure of φαûλος, which should be clearly differentiated, on one hand, of the figure of the vicious person, and on the other hand, of the figure of the incontinent person, each of them sistematically explained by Aristotle. Lacking the texts of the author this kind of explanation about the φαûλος, arguments and evidences are showed in order to affirm that this new figure is crucial in giving full sense to that typology. This revelation of a new possibility of moral agent in Aristotelian ethics should facilitate, furthermore, a more complete comprehension of the entire moral philosophy of the author, a comprehension that has been historically tilted towards the polarity between virtuous and vicious, and sometimes to the figure of the incontinent.

Key words: moral evil, vice, incontinence, sloth, ordinary man.