Neither Fish nor Fowl: on Ambivalence as Virtue

Abstract

Although ambivalence is normally seen as a defect, some forms of it are practically virtuous. Situations where ambivalence can be virtuous have the following structure: the agent does not value any of the alternatives more than she values the other one, although she is not indifferent to which of the alternatives ends up being chosen. In these cases, the ambivalent person does not seek to settle her mind because she cannot commit to herself and to others without risking letting herself and others down, so she is open-minded. Further, she is wise because her lack of resolution is due to an insight, namely, that given the things she cares about the options are on a par to her.