Aristotle's virtue ethics

Question 1

Define eudiamonia

Answer 1

the state of flourishing that makes humans worthwhile and it is our telos in life

Question 2

What are virtues and their two types

Answer 2

• they are defined by our ‘polis’ => culturally relative
  1. Intellectual virtues: these control our moral virtues and help identify the correct course of action
  2. Moral virtues: these are developed through action; “We acquire virtues through doing virtuous acts”

Question 3

Define phronesis

Answer 3

it is applying reason to a situation and exercising this is what is know as the Golden Mean

Question 4

Strengths of Aristotle’s virtue ethics

Answer 4

• avoids a formula
• achievable
• distinguishes between good people and the legalists
• points out importance of having to motivate someone to be good
• shows how we acquire virtues by imitating others
  CP: Bad role models (Hitler?)
• surely someone who helps the poor out of habitual compassion is morally superior to someone who does it out of duty or to gain prestige
• works within a religious context (Jesus could be seen as a virtuous person)

Question 5

Weaknesses of Aristotle’s virtue ethics

Answer 5

• Robert Louden: VE doesn’t help people in crisis due to the lack of rules + how do we identify virtuous people, is there an objective sense of good?
• depends on eudiamonia which is a final end in our lives that gives shape to it but there may not be such a thing
• what do you do if virtues conflict?
• all activities are aimed towards the same sort of good => hypocritical for attacking Plato’s Form of the Good
• argues that women and slaves possess less reason than men => he was writing in historical context => is it still relevant nowadays?