Rather than the typical AI Top 10, I decided to ask AI to find the best song for each of Aristotle’s 12 moral virtues. I have a new song coming out on 2/21/25 called “Virtue Signals” which is all about Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, so I thought it would be fun to see which notable songs best embody the virtues in this book. I share a Spotify playlist with these songs at the end.
1. Courage - "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor: This renowned track from the Rocky III soundtrack exhibits courage in its relentless pursuit of victory and survival even against all odds. The lyrics champion strength and determination, showing that bravery isn't a lack of fear, but the fortitude to continue despite it.
2. Temperance - "Moderation" by Florence + The Machine: Florence sings about the struggles of maintaining the middle ground, something Aristotle believed essential for temperance. The song in itself is an exploration of the difficulties and necessities of moderation.
3. Liberality (Generosity) - "Imagine" by John Lennon: Lennon's song encourages listeners to imagine a world of peace, which can only be achieved through the liberality of possessions, thoughts, and feelings, helping others without expectation of reciprocation.
4. Magnificence - "We Are The Champions" by Queen: This song resonates with magnificence as it represents the grandness of achieving victory or excellence, and the generous and communal spirit behind celebrating such achievement.
5. Magnanimity (High-mindedness) - "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson: The song is about changing oneself to improve the world, resonating with Aristotle's view of magnanimity, i.e., the virtue of being great of mind and heart. It embodies the dignity of the individual who strives to do better.
6. Ambition - "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey: The song encourages ambition and holding onto dreams despite the obstacles faced. It resonates with the idea of constant striving towards improving oneself.
7. Patience - "Let it Be" by The Beatles: An anthem of patience and understanding, "Let it Be" implores its listeners to accept things as they come and to have faith that everything will eventually fall into place.
8. Truthfulness - "True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper: The song talks about the value of authenticity and expressing one's true identity despite societal pressures. It champions truthfulness by encouraging the listener to reveal their "true colors."
9. Wittiness - "Stressed Out" by Twenty One Pilots: The lyrics reflect a deeply witty and at times cynical view of the practical realities of everyday life, aligning with Aristotle’s virtue of wit - balancing the humorous and serious aspects of life.
10. Friendship - "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor: This song captures the essence of true friendship with its expressions of ever-present support, loyalty, and comradery in times of difficulty.
11. Modesty - "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar: Kendrick Lamar’s powerful lyrics here deliver a strong message about the importance of staying grounded despite success, being modest and understanding that no one is above others.
12. Right Indignation (Justified anger) - "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan: This song represents the justified anger towards social issues like war and injustice, questioning when society will address these issues correctly. It asserts that the answer, while "blowin' in the wind," is within our reach if we care to grasp it.
Written by OpenAI GPT-4
Ideated, prompted, fact-checked, and edited by Jared Endicott
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