Aristotle categorized character in four categories; virtuous, continent, incontinent, and vicious. The virtuous person is glad to do the right thing. The continent person will do the right thing but has to struggle against his desires to not do the right thing. The incontinent person reaches the right decision, but is unable to do the right thing. The vicious person has no struggle to do the wrong thing. The vicious person is morally wrong. The ability to reason, have perception and not be stupid or naive. Virtuous action must also be voluntary. Though Homer is a glutton, habitual liar, and lacks sensitivity, benevolence and justice he sometimes acts admirably. He can be affectionate and loving towards others, courageous, and kind. Homer is not an evil person though he has severe character flaws. We are forced to pity Homer instead of hating him. Homer bounces back and forth between continence and incontinence, with the occasional slip to virtuosity or viciousness. This is because Aristotle's division of people is logical instead of actual, since very few people actually fit into one category.
