Good : Bad :: Virtue : ? — Identify the antonym that pairs with 'Virtue' in the same way that 'Bad' pairs with 'Good'.
Correct Answer: Vice
Introduction / Context:Antonym analogies require selecting the direct opposite within the same semantic field. 'Good : Bad' sets the polarity. We must choose the precise opposite for 'Virtue'.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Good ↔ Bad are direct antonyms.
- Virtue denotes moral excellence or goodness of character.
- We seek the standard antonym used in ethics/morality.
Concept / Approach:In moral philosophy and common usage, the opposite of virtue is 'vice'—a bad habit or immoral conduct opposing virtuous traits.
Step-by-Step Solution:1) Preserve relation: concept ↔ direct antonym.2) Virtue ↔ Vice is the canonical pair.3) Select 'Vice'.
Verification / Alternative check:Dictionaries and ethics texts list vice as the contrary to virtue (e.g., temperance ↔ intemperance, honesty ↔ dishonesty under the vice–virtue framework).
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Blame: Not the opposite of virtue; relates to responsibility.
- Sin/Evil: Related to wrongdoing but not the strict antonymic pair in classical phrasing.
- Despair: An emotional state; unrelated.
Common Pitfalls:Picking a generally negative word (sin/evil) rather than the exact antonymic counterpart (vice).
Final Answer:Vice