Andrew Genova

Theology III

Mr. Sciuto

17 October 2007

Homer and Aristotle

Homer Simpson does not fare well when evaluated morally. In what ways are Homer Simpson admirable?

1. Aristotle's Character Types

   1. Virtuous (Lisa)

      1. Does right thing

      2. That right thing coincides with morals

      3. Cannot be stupid or naïve. Must be able to respond according to differences in situations.

   2. Continent (Lenny)

      1. Does the right thing

      2. Struggles against desires to do right thing

   3. Incontinent (Bart)

      1. Able to know right decision BUT

      2. In weakness of will, does wrong thing.

   4. Vicious (Nelson)

      1. Does the wrong thing

      2. Desires fully cooperate with decision

   5. Definition of Right Action

      1. Knowledge of the virtuous action

      2. Must decide on doing the virtuous action for themselves

      3. Must do them in firm unchanging manner

2. Homer's Character: D'oh! D'oh! and Double D'oh!

   1. Erroneous Character Traits

      1. Must indulge and enjoys gorging on food.

      2. Affects his health and welfare, but that does not affect his desire to gorge.

      3. He is a compulsive liar.

      4. Lacks sensitivity to the needs and claims of others.

      5. Lacks benevolence and justice.

      6. Selfish

      7. Lack of true friends / Poor parenting and marital skills

      8. Lack of practical wisdom. Phronesis.

      9. Lacks minimal powers of inference.

      10. Lacks the ability to organize one's life around important and worthy goals, and to pursue them responsibly and morally.

3. Homer's Character: The Glimmer of a Few Woo-hoos

   1. Admirable actions

-- pictures of Maggie in his work station, never knowingly committed adultery, affectionate towards Marge, support of Lisa's web of lies surrounding Jebediah Springfield, support of Lisa's confidence by entering her in a beauty pageant, twice sacrificing buying air conditioning to get Lisa a saxophone.

2. Exhibits acts of courage

-- lashing out at Mr. Burns for demanding too much of him and not remembering his name, pummeling George Bush

3. Exhibits acts of kindness

-- helping Flanders with his Leftorium, standing up for Flanders' church, pretending that he is the smoker in the workplace so Patty and Selma would not get fired for smoking

4. On occasion he even displays intelligence and “theoretical wisdom”

-- devised scheme to bring bootleg alcohol into Springfield, displayed rare insights on the nature of religion by deciding to stop going to church since he reasoned God was everywhere,

5. Occasionally displays moments when he realizes his limitations

-- Marge at the power plant, Lurleen Lumpkin's flirting with him

4. Assessing Homer

   1. Pity?

      1. Homer's upbringing is questionable

         1. Brought up in a very restrictive and flawed Springfield; Springfield beyond control.

         2. Mother left him and his father never encouraged him to become anything of worth.

         3. Simpson gene

      2. He is not generally a malicious person, although not virtuous.

         1. Rarely envious of others or a wisher of ill-will

         2. Those who he does intentionally punish are those who we think don't deserve to be treated better.

         3. Ruled by vice.

         4. Akrasia = “weakness of will”

5. Conclusion: The Importance of Being Homer

   1. For Homer to be ethically admirable something else must be at work

      1. “In-your-face humanity”

      2. Love and enjoyment of life through indulgences while not giving attention to what people think.

      3. When compared to his surroundings, Homer comes off relatively admirable.

      4. Open and honest about who he is.

      5. Not admirable person, but has admirable traits.

         1. Not virtuous, but not malicious

         2. Loves life despite his financially and economically modest means and his rough upbringing.

         3. Villains often have admirable traits, but that does not make them admirable people. Although Homer is not a villain of any sort, this is the case with him.