Ordinary Badness in Aristotelian Ethics: A Virtually Forgotten Question

In this paper, we aim to show the way in which a kind of moral badness, what we call ordinary badness, could be understood from Aristotelian ethical writings. First, we document the recognition of this type of badness in the Aristotelian source, which is seen in his presentation of “hoi polloi” (the Many). In particular, it is shown that “hoi polloi” are “phauloi”, one of the (specific) predicates that Aristotle uses to refer to moral badness. Secondly, we highlight the methodological function of “hoi polloi” in the description of incontinence and self-indulgence, and we show how the Many could be considered as a new class within the question of moral effort. Finally, and related to the result of the previous analysis, we document what could be an aporia in the Aristotelian description of the population of the polis, which brings us to join Ian Morris in his global understanding of Aristotelian political philosophy.In this paper, we aim to show the way in which a kind of moral badness, what we call ordinary badness, could be understood from Aristotelian ethical writings. First, we document the recognition of this type of badness in the Aristotelian source, which is seen in his presentation of “hoi polloi” (the Many). In particular, it is shown that “hoi polloi” are “phauloi”, one of the (specific) predicates that Aristotle uses to refer to moral badness. Secondly, we highlight the methodological function of “hoi polloi” in the description of incontinence and self-indulgence, and we show how the Many could be considered as a new class within the question of moral effort. Finally, and related to the result of the previous analysis, we document what could be an aporia in the Aristotelian description of the population of the polis, which brings us to join Ian Morris in his global understanding of Aristotelian political philosophy

On the Table-Servers: Ministry in the Assembly

(excerpt) Christianity came into existence at table. The earliest churches — that is, the earliest assemblies — seem to have continued the meal tradition of Jesus, the meal tradition with which the gospels are filled: \u27Behold a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and of sinners,\u27 went one description of Jesus (Luke 7:34). Christian communities struggled to understand and maintain Jesus’ remarkable open commensality — his astonishing, God-signifying, religiously offensive and politically dangerous eating and drinking with the hoi polloi, his critique of the dining-room practice of the closed circle, his re-working of mealmeaning

hoi polloi, 2007

Volume 4, Number 2. 2007. 41 pages. Contributors: Chassidy Lewis, Abby Crump, Derek Walker, Laura West, E.J. Schmitt, Roberto Gutierrez, Gina Buffington, Jennifer Schindler, Tracy Davis, Carrie Sullivan, Cindel Eavenson, Tiffany Drinkard, and Dawn Compton.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1018/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 2004

Volume 3, Number 9. 2004. 38 pages. Contributors: Tim O’Brien, Bettylena Weaver, Jessica Wright, Beth Daniel, Alana Boling, Jeremy Boleman, Anna Dunn, Michael Smith, Josh Purcell, Kristal McKenzie, Lynn L. Hulsey. Cover Art: Anthony Smith.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1015/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 2003

Volume 3, Number 8. 2003. 33 pages. Contributors: Thea Harrington, Lynn Hulsey, Robin Roper, Odette Vaughn, Ashley Gilly, David Heyman, Kelly Pugh, Rebecca Hurtado, Anna Dunn, Ashley Gilly and Nancy Tuttobene. Cover Art: Justin Post.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1014/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 1990

Volume 1, Number 2. 1990. 47 pages. Contributors: Rachael Forrester, John Pickelsimer, Lisa Roberts, Lynne Bannister, John McKay, and Dondi Vickers. Cover Design: Dr. Robert S. Westervelt.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1004/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 2001

Volume 3, Number 6. 2001. Contributors: Patricia Kerby, Emlyn Murphy, Elie Viviant, Jennifer Finch, John M. Coghlan, Stacy Bitter, Pam Slappey, Rebecca Nix, Donald Bowers, and Katie Irvin. Cover Art: Michael Dean Trippe.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1012/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 1995

Volume 2, Number 3. 1995. 40 pages. Contributors: Amber Chambers, Bryan James, Howard Keeley, Jennie McDonald, Victoria Myers, Lee Rider, Brenda Rone, and Jon Thompson.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1006/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 1991

Volume 1, Number 3. 1991. 40 pages. Contributors: Rachael Forrester, Danny Marshall, Joanne Martin, Sarah Booker, William D. Brown, and Jennifer Burgoon. Cover Design: Joanna Wallington.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1001/thumbnail.jp

hoi polloi, 1997

Volume 3, Number 2. 1997. 37 pages. Contributors: Stacie Carvill, Rebecca L. Vanderford, Amy Strickland, Donald Hunt, Kim Martin, Shane Lancaster, Sandra Thompson, Shelby D. Kirby, Ray Wood, Ed McNabb, and Scot T. Jones.https://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/hoipolloi/1008/thumbnail.jp