The proposed method of developing virtue is worth practicing.
Someone needs to take first step in acting honestly.
In taking first step One takes risk since it is not always certain that the opposite person would act honestly. One should be prepared to take that risk
This fact about lack of trust is likely to inhibit virtuous action.
Thank you for your comment! I agree with you that there is some risk involved, and perhaps we shouldn't practice this philosophy in a life and death situation opposite a known criminal. But there are many small situations in everyday life where we wouldn't lose much even if we were to be taken advantage of. In these, the satisfaction from having acted in a virtuous way can easily outweigh any practical disadvantages if the other side tricks us. And slowly, as Aristotle says, we will build a habit of being virtuous in greater and greater things. Thanks!
The proposed method of developing virtue is worth practicing.
Someone needs to take first step in acting honestly.
In taking first step One takes risk since it is not always certain that the opposite person would act honestly. One should be prepared to take that risk
This fact about lack of trust is likely to inhibit virtuous action.
Thank you for your comment! I agree with you that there is some risk involved, and perhaps we shouldn't practice this philosophy in a life and death situation opposite a known criminal. But there are many small situations in everyday life where we wouldn't lose much even if we were to be taken advantage of. In these, the satisfaction from having acted in a virtuous way can easily outweigh any practical disadvantages if the other side tricks us. And slowly, as Aristotle says, we will build a habit of being virtuous in greater and greater things. Thanks!