Aristotelian virtue ethics

Question 1

what is virtue ethics

Answer 1

focuses on the person and their character, rather than on individual actions. It is agent centred.
the most important thing is developing positive character traits (VIRTUES)

Question 2

what is aristotle’s account of ‘the good’

Answer 2

-holds a teleological view of the universe, everything is directed at one final goal, or good

Question 3

function argument

Answer 3

used by aristotle to show that eudaimonia is only achieved through exercising our reason.
P1-every body has a function in society, and everybody part plays a function
p2- therefore, humans must have a distinctive function
p3- it cannot be growth or nutrition, as we share these with plants, it cannot be sentience as we share this with animals, it must be reason
c, therefore we should live reason lead lives.

Question 4

what is the relationship between eudaimonia and pleasure

Answer 4

aristotle rejects hedonism, the good for pleasure is not happiness.
‘ we are more than just pleasure seeking animals’
‘ there are other things we aim for (virtue) that do not necessarily bring pleasure.

the good life still involves pleasure. he falls midway between two extreme views. between hedonism and asceticism. we should avoid excessive indulgence in physical pleasures.

pleasure plays a role in developing virtues of character, enabling one to reach eudaimonia.

Question 5

what does aristotle think the conceptual approach to eudaimonia is

Answer 5

analysis the concept of ‘ultimate good / final end’, he concludes it must be
-an end, never a means
-the most final of final ends, for the sake of which everything is done.
-self sufficient- nothing can be added to make it better
- the most desirable of all things

Question 6

what does aristotle believe the empirical approach of eudaimonia is. and what ideas of eudaimonia does he reject

Answer 6

by assessing popular opinions, he can infer that ‘flourishing/happiness’ is the eudaimonia, he rejects other ideas of what it may be.
-pleasure- no, that would make us animals
-wealth- means to an end
-honour- relies on other recognition
-goodness- compatible with a life of suffereing
-contemplation-???

Question 7

what is eudaimonia

Answer 7

it is the ultimate good/final end

Question 8

how does one gain virtues

Answer 8

through exercising reason, we can develop virtues.

Question 9

virtues as character traits or dispositions

Answer 9

humans have habitual ways of behaving. through repeatedly using reason to guide our actions, we develop positive dispositions, virtues (arete) which enable us to reach eudaimonia

Question 10

what is the role of education and habituation in the development of a moral character

Answer 10

aristotle believes virtue is not innate.
humans have the potential to develop these virtues, but we have to develop these dispositions over time. through learning as children, and practicing through adulthood. a virtue is more than a habit, as it is guided by cognitively active reason.

Question 11

what is the skill analogy

Answer 11

aristotle compares developing a virtue with developing a skill. we are not born with a skill, yet we have the capacity to learn it.
for example, we can only learn the harp by playing the harp, just like we can only learn to be brave , by being brave.

Question 12

how do you be virtuous

Answer 12

act in virtuous ways, act as a virtuous person, you choose to act for the right reasons, and you are consistent over time in your choice.

Question 13

why does aristotle believe feelings are important

Answer 13

all our actions are a display of emotion.
-Virtue means expressing the right/appropriate amount of these feelings, neither too much or too little (in the mean)
-A virtuous person has no inner conflict, they do not have to overcome, their feelings in order to do the right thing

Question 14

what is the doctrine of the mean

Answer 14

a virtue lies between two excessive dispositions.- this is the doctrine of the mean.
example- fear and confidence.
if one is too scared, then they are cowardly and if one is too brave then they are rash. reason helps us be driven by the right amount of fear and bravery (courage). if we continue to act like this overtime, we develop the virtue of courage.
use reason to assess a situation.
the mean is doing the right thing at the right time to the right people in the right way. this is the mark of virtue.

Question 15

what is the doctrine of the mean critique

Answer 15

packages our emotions too neatly, explains our dispositions in a black and white way, assuming there is a linear scale in which we can act in a, too much or too little of a way.’

Question 16

aristotle’s account of moral responsibility (Voluntary actions)

Answer 16

a voluntary action in an intended action.
only voluntary actions contribute contribute to our character and virtues.
- one that we intend to do
- carry out in full knowledge of what we are doing
- freely choose

if a knowing intended action flows from our desires, then this is freely chosen.

Question 17

aristotle’s account of moral responsibility (in voluntary actions)

Answer 17

An involuntary action is one that is contrary to our intention.
there are two types of involuntary actions., those does in ignorance and those done in compulsion. actions done under compulsion fall into categories;
straightforward types and more complex ‘mixed’ types.

Question 18

what is the difference between acts done under compulsion.
mixed and straightforward

Answer 18

straightforward, a sailor is blown off course by the wind

there is no agency and only external factors have caused this to happen.

person commits robbery otherwise children will be murdered

there is some agency and also some intention

Question 19

what is the difference between involuntary actions and non voluntary actions

Answer 19

non- unintended because it was acted out of ignorance.
where we misinterpret and misunderstand the situation.

an involuntary action is one that contradicts our intention.- blown off course by wind

Question 20

are we responsible for non voluntary actions

Answer 20

depends on how we behave after the non voluntary acts.
- if there was regret for our actions and we wished we acted differently then we would still be responsible however forgiven.

Question 21

what is the relationship between virtues, actions and reasons

Answer 21

our virtues are dispositions built up by voluntary actions. voluntary actions relevant to a virtue are done out of reasoning, choice.

Question 22

what is the role of practical reasoning/ wisdom

Answer 22

virtue ethics requires us to have a range of practical reasoning skills that mean we can make the right decision in any situation.
in order to reach eudaimonia we need to practice virtues, which establish the right goals and ends. the role of practical wisdom gives us the best chance of achieving those goals.