Aristotle's Ethics and Political Philosophy Flashcards
Explain the role played by natural teleology in Aristotle’s understanding of the good.
According to Aristotle, the good for any entity is closely related to its telos. The telos of a thing is determined by its nature or essence and represents the goal towards which it naturally strives. The good, therefore, is the fulfillment or realization of that telos. Aristotle argued that living beings, including humans, have a distinctive telos that is characteristic of their nature as rational animals.
For humans, Aristotle believed that the telos or purpose of life is eudaimonia, often translated as “flourishing” or “the good life.” Eudaimonia is not defined by external goods or pleasure but rather by the active exercise of reason and the development of virtues. It involves the fulfillment of one’s potential as a rational being and the cultivation of excellence in all aspects of life.
Aristotle saw human flourishing as intimately connected to the cultivation of virtues, such as wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. Virtues are acquired through habituation and practice, and they enable individuals to act in accordance with reason and the highest human potential. Living a virtuous life aligns with the telos of human nature and leads to eudaimonia, the ultimate good.
Why is Aristotle’s ethics called a Self-actualization ethics?
Aristotle’s ethics is often referred to as a self-actualization or self-fulfillment ethics because it emphasizes the idea of individuals realizing their full potential and achieving their own personal flourishing. The central concept in Aristotle’s ethical framework is eudaimonia, which can be translated as “flourishing” or “the good life.” Eudaimonia is the ultimate goal of human life according to Aristotle and represents the highest form of well-being and fulfillment.
Why does Aristotle say that happiness (eudaimonia) is the highest good?
Aristotle argues that happiness, or eudaimonia, is the highest good because it represents the ultimate goal and fulfillment of human life.
According to Aristotle, happiness is unique among all other goods because it is complete and self-sufficient. While other goods, such as wealth, honor, or pleasure, may contribute to a good life, they are not sufficient in themselves to bring about true and lasting fulfillment. In contrast, happiness is an all-encompassing state that encompasses the totality of a person’s well-being and is not dependent on external factors. It is the ultimate end that encompasses and fulfills all other goods.
What does Aristotle mean by happiness?
When Aristotle refers to happiness, he uses the Greek term “eudaimonia.” Eudaimonia is a complex concept that is often translated as “happiness” but encompasses a broader and deeper understanding than mere pleasure or temporary satisfaction. In Aristotle’s ethical philosophy, happiness (eudaimonia) refers to the ultimate goal and fulfillment of human life.
Explain Aristotle’s account of virtue, including the doctrine of the mean. Use an example, like courage.
According to Aristotle, virtues are the habits or dispositions that enable individuals to act in accordance with reason and to excel in various areas of life. Virtues lie between two vices: an excess and a deficiency. The virtuous person finds the mean between these extremes, which represents the right amount or the proper way to act in a given situation.
Courage, for Aristotle, is a virtue that lies between the vices of recklessness and cowardice. Recklessness represents an excess of courage, where an individual acts without considering the potential dangers or consequences. On the other hand, cowardice represents a deficiency of courage, where an individual lacks the necessary bravery and avoids necessary risks or challenges.
The virtuous person, in the case of courage, finds the mean between recklessness and cowardice. They are neither overly bold nor excessively fearful. They possess the right amount of courage that allows them to face fear and danger when it is appropriate to do so, guided by reason and a proper assessment of the situation.
For example, imagine a person who is faced with a dangerous situation, such as rescuing someone from a burning building. The reckless person might rush into the building without considering their own safety or the best approach, potentially endangering themselves and others. The cowardly person, on the other hand, might avoid entering the building altogether due to fear, failing to take necessary action.
The courageous person, following Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean, would display bravery by entering the building to save the person in need, but they would do so with reason and careful consideration. They would assess the risks and take appropriate precautions while not succumbing to paralyzing fear. In this way, they find the right balance between recklessness and cowardice, embodying the virtue of courage.
Aristotle believed that virtues, including courage, are not innate qualities but are developed through repeated actions and the cultivation of good habits. By practicing virtuous actions and finding the mean between extremes, individuals can develop their moral character and live a life of excellence.
What is the purpose of the political community and how does Aristotle understand the different forms of government?
For Aristotle, the purpose of the political community, or the state, is to promote the common good and facilitate the flourishing of its citizens. He believed that humans are political animals by nature, meaning that they are naturally inclined to live in communities and engage in collective decision-making.
Aristotle understood different forms of government by examining the principles of rule and the distribution of power within a political community. He identified three primary forms of government: monarchy, aristocracy, and polity. However, each of these forms could degenerate into a corresponding perverted form: tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy, respectively.
Monarchy is the rule of one individual, typically a king or a monarch. Aristotle viewed monarchy as a legitimate form of government when it is exercised by a virtuous ruler who governs in the best interest of the community. In a virtuous monarchy, the ruler is driven by wisdom and aims to promote the common good.
Aristocracy is the rule of the few, but not necessarily based on wealth or birthright. In Aristotle’s understanding, aristocracy represents the rule of the virtuous and wise individuals who possess the highest moral and intellectual qualities. It is a form of government where the ruling class acts for the benefit of the whole community.
Polity is a form of government that involves the rule of the many, or the citizens. It is characterized by the active participation of the middle class or the working citizens in political decision-making. Aristotle considered polity as a preferable form of government, especially when the citizens possess virtues such as moderation, justice, and practical wisdom.
Tyranny is the perversion of monarchy, where the ruler exercises power for their own self-interest rather than the common good. A tyrant is driven by personal desires and acts oppressively, disregarding the well-being of the citizens.
Oligarchy is the perversion of aristocracy, where the few in power use their wealth and influence to serve their own interests, often at the expense of the majority. Oligarchs prioritize their own wealth and privilege over the common good.
Democracy, in its perverted form, can devolve into mob rule or the tyranny of the majority. This occurs when the citizens act out of self-interest and pursue their own desires without regard for the well-being of the community as a whole.
Aristotle believed that the best form of government depends on the specific circumstances and the nature of the community. He argued that a well-functioning political community should aim to strike a balance between the interests of the individual and the common good, with the ultimate goal of promoting human flourishing and the virtuous life.
What is the best and most practical form of the state, or regime, according to Aristotle? Compare with Plato.
Aristotle’s polity is a form of government that involves the rule of the many, where the citizens actively participate in decision-making. However, it is not a pure democracy where the majority’s will is absolute. Instead, Aristotle argued for a system that incorporates elements of democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy, finding a middle ground between the extremes.
In a polity, the middle class or the working citizens play a crucial role, as they are seen as having a stake in both their own interests and the common good. Aristotle believed that the middle class tends to possess virtues such as moderation, justice, and practical wisdom, making them well-suited for political participation.
Aristotle’s polity recognizes the importance of balancing the interests of the individual and the community. It aims to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few elites, while also avoiding the dangers of mob rule or the tyranny of the majority. By incorporating elements of democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy, Aristotle believed that polity could foster stability, promote the common good, and ensure the well-being of the citizens.
Plato, on the other hand, had a different perspective on the best form of the state. In his work “The Republic,” Plato presented an ideal state governed by philosopher-kings, which he referred to as a “kallipolis” or a “just city.” Plato believed that the state should be ruled by philosopher-kings who possess wisdom and knowledge of the Forms, representing the ultimate truth and justice.
Plato’s ideal state is hierarchical and authoritarian, with a rigid social structure where individuals are assigned to different roles based on their innate abilities and virtues. According to Plato, the philosopher-kings, who have undergone extensive education and philosophical training, are best equipped to govern and make decisions for the benefit of the community.
Plato emphasized the importance of a strict division of labor, with each individual fulfilling their assigned role without question. He believed that this would create harmony and unity within the state, ensuring that each person contributes to the best of their abilities.
