I’m pretty sure I read something a while ago which drew a connection between Socrates to Aristotle’s Golden Mean, something about Plato, and then that being the inspiration for the seven.
I agree that it’s very possible, likely even, that the Christian seven deadly sins were heavily influenced by virtue ethics, the golden mean, etc. But the statement “the seven deadly sins predates Christianity” doesn’t feel right imo.
While yes, the concept of virtues, identifying and espousing them definitely predate Christianity, the “seven deadly sins” is a very specific thing. While similar, they aren’t the same so you cant really say that the concept of the seven deadly sins existed specifically before it was developed and spread by Christianity.
I don’t think you’re trying to say that the seven deadly sins specifically predate Christianity, just that the concept of identifying negative and detrimental traits and behaviours do. But it’s easy to think you are conflating those at a glance. (Or maybe you are, I don’t actually know.)
Do you have a proper substantive source for the seven deadly sins predating Christianity?
I’m legitimately curious here, because I can’t find anything that supports that claim.
virtue ethics
I’m pretty sure I read something a while ago which drew a connection between Socrates to Aristotle’s Golden Mean, something about Plato, and then that being the inspiration for the seven.
That’s very interesting.
I agree that it’s very possible, likely even, that the Christian seven deadly sins were heavily influenced by virtue ethics, the golden mean, etc. But the statement “the seven deadly sins predates Christianity” doesn’t feel right imo.
While yes, the concept of virtues, identifying and espousing them definitely predate Christianity, the “seven deadly sins” is a very specific thing. While similar, they aren’t the same so you cant really say that the concept of the seven deadly sins existed specifically before it was developed and spread by Christianity.
I don’t think you’re trying to say that the seven deadly sins specifically predate Christianity, just that the concept of identifying negative and detrimental traits and behaviours do. But it’s easy to think you are conflating those at a glance. (Or maybe you are, I don’t actually know.)