Epistemic virtue theory evaluates beliefs by the intellectual character traits that produce them: open-mindedness, thoroughness, intellectual courage. But virtues seem to admit of excess: excessive open-mindedness becomes gullibility; excessive rigor becomes paralysis. Aristotle's mean suggests virtues are between extremes, but the 'correct position' for each virtue seems to depend on circumstances, resisting codification into rules. This may show virtue theory's strength (flexibility) or weakness (lack of guidance).
It can be inferred from the text that
intellectual virtues can never be excessive
virtue theory provides clear, codified rules for every situation
Aristotle believed extremes were virtuous
the same feature of a theoretical approach may be evaluated as either strength or weakness depending on priorities
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Resistance to codification is flexibility (strength) or lack of guidance (weakness).
- Context clues: Virtue theory's context-dependence "may show virtue theory's strength (flexibility) or weakness (lack of guidance)."
- Meaning: The same feature is evaluated differently based on what you value.
- Verify: Both characterizations apply to the same lack of codification.
💡 Strategy: When the same feature is called both virtue and vice, infer perspective-dependent evaluation.
Choice A is incorrect because virtues "seem to admit of excess." Choice B is incorrect because virtue theory resists "codification into rules." Choice C is incorrect because Aristotle's mean places virtue "between extremes."