aristotle's ve Flashcards
definition of virtue
a disposition - a character trait - which is to be valued, e.g. courage, truthfulness, temperence
brief outline of aristotle’s theory
- aristotle begins with suggestion that all actions aim towards final end
- discovering this final end is a process likely to be directed by politicians
- disagreement about final end, but most agree this is happiness (eudaimonia)
- the function argument: human good is a function of the soul in accord with virtue
- reasoning well means exercising virtue
- the doctrine of the mean
- aristotle develops the doctrine of the mean with reference to specific virtues
in what way is ve teleological?
a says every action has end, and some ends subordinated to others
suggests some final end all actions aim towards
end = eudaimonia
why is the process of discovering the final end likely to be directed ?
politicians hold the power, therefore decide what each group of citizens has to learn + how proficient they must be (remember politicians a referencing = from families of citizens)
differing views of eudaimonia:
some say happiness = pleasure; aristotle rejects, as even cattle experience pleasure
some say happiness = political honour; aristotle rejects, as this is temporary + given to us by others, so can’t be final end
some say happiness = wealth; wealth is just means ot an end, and easily lost
aristotle’s account of eudaimonia is based on..
the function argument
outline of the function argument
there is a relation between good + function (function/ergon = work, or accomplishment; something is good if it fulfils its function)
e.g. a good knife is one that works well, fulfils purpose, will have sharp blade etc
whatever the right function is for humans, human goodness will be in fulfilling that function
function depends on the nature of the soul ( as virtue = characteristic of the soul), so humans will fulfil their function by doing activity most characteristic of them
- this cannot be nutrition and growth as even plant shave these
- cannot be sense perception + movement, animals have these
- can only be exercise of reason / rational part of soul, as A says is unique in humans
therefore, concludes the telos is focused on the rational soul
the good life will be one where reason is exercised well
quote from aristotle about definition of eudaimonia
“Thus the good life is not the kind in which we eat, reproduce, sense, move, remember or imagine well (plants and animals do that), but that in which we exercise reason well”
aristotle’s division of the soul
- non rational soul
- nutritive + character
- has moral virtues e.g. courage, patience, modesty - rational soul - has intellectual virtues
- theoretical reason (theoretical virtues e.g. doing maths/philosophy)
- practical reason (practical virtues e.g. understanding, judgement, practical wisdom)
- intellectual virtues contribute most to good life as are under control of reason
moral virtues are formed by habit
but not blind habit, helped by rational soul + virtue of practical wisdom
become moderate by abstaining from pleasures, become courageous by habit of ignoring frightening things
children should be trained into habit of virtues fast as possible
- become virtuous by imitating virtuous people, not by learning rules
a virtuous person must?
know what they are doing in situation, not act through ignorance
must choose to act virtuously
doctrine of the mean
specific virtues lie between two vices: excess and deficiency
- ‘golden mean’ = virtue
mean = median, relative to each individual
mean is defined by a phronimos - rationally decided for each individual, not universal rule
quote from aristotle about golden mean
“Virtue is a characteristic marked by choice… Virtue is also a mean with respect to two vices, the one vice related to excess, the other to deficiency”
deficiency of courage
cowardice
excess of courage
foolhardiness
