Dylan Kickham

“Marge’s Moral Motivation” by Gerald J. Erion and Joseph A. Zeccardi

Outline

I. Marge as the Aristotelian Model of Moral Virtue in The Simpsons

1. Virtue and Character

a. What does Aristotle say is good virtue and character?

i. A trait that helps make a person a good person
ii. Include bravery, temperance, generosity, mildness, friendliness, honesty, wit, and modesty
iii. A virtue is a median between two corresponding extremes (i.e. Marge’s self-control does not go so far as Flanders’ indifference to physical pleasures, but neither is it Barney’s self-indulgence.)

b. How is Marge an example of good virtue?

i. Shows bravery by dangerously escaping a Movementarian commune (“The Joy of Sect”)
ii. Shows temperance by denying herself a new pair of shoes, reasoning that since she already owned a pair of shoes she does not need another (“The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson”)
iii. Shows generosity by always giving to the church collection despite her family’s fluctuating income (“Bart’s Girlfriend”)
iv. Marge is inherently moderate in all things.

2. Justifying the Life of Virtue

a. According to Aristotle, why should we live a virtuous life?

i. Though virtues are elusive, they are desirable because they promote long-term happiness, referred to as eudaimonia in Greek.
ii. We achieve eudaimonia through our bonds of family and friendship, which are cultivated by practicing virtues.

b. How does Marge justify her virtuous life?

i. By providing for her family’s happiness, Marge obtains eudaimonia for herself.
ii. Marge has to act virtuously to instill her virtues in her children, who see her as a model of right and wrong.

3. Cultivating Virtue

a. How does Aristotle say we can cultivate virtue?

i. We can cultivate virtue in ourselves through habitation, so by doing virtuous actions, we can become virtuous.
ii. A virtuous person cultivates virtue in others by serving as models of virtue for those still developing their virtue.

b. How does Marge cultivate virtue?

i. Marge cultivates virtue in herself by acting bravely and radically when the situation calls for it, but by also acting in moderation in everyday life.
ii. Marge cultivates virtue in her children by encouraging their sense of right and wrong, especially with Lisa, whom she gives advice on faith, love, conscience, and other things of this nature.

4. Opposition to the Divine Command Theory

a. What is the divine command theory?

i. The divine command theory is the belief that to be a moral and virtuous person, one must do whatever is commanded by God and never do what is forbidden by Him.

b. What is wrong with the divine command theory?

i. Divine command theorists believe that they can solve their problems by consulting religious leaders or texts rather than by thinking for themselves.
ii. promotes a blind and incomplete faith

c. How does Marge oppose the divine command theory?

i. Although an active Christian, Marge is comfortable rejecting the Church’s official moral judgments if her well-developed Conscience tells her to do so, something Flanders (the divine command theorist of Springfield) could never do.
ii. When Reverend Lovejoy leads a protest against Michelangelo’s David, Marge refuses to join because she sees that nudity is not necessarily evil or immoral (“Itchy & Scratchy & Marge”).