Definitions

Question 1

Virtue

Answer 1

Also known as ‘arete’ in Greek, a virtue is a good disposition or characteristic which a person possesses, cultivated and habituated over a period of learning through deliberation and choice.

Question 2

Moral virtue

Answer 2

Also known as ‘ethica arete’ in Greek, it is the phrase for a person who has cultivated many virtues, and therefore has knowledge on how to act in many situations in the correct, virtuous way.

Question 3

Eudaimonia

Answer 3

Roughly translated to ‘flourishing’. It is the way in which a person can achieve the ultimate good in life. This is achieved through the cultivation of numerous virtues. It is doing well in every aspect of one’s life.

Question 4

‘The Good’ according to Aristotle.

Answer 4

It is achieving eudaimonia, or flourishing, through the habituation and cultivation of numerous virtues, which are decided upon through a process of rational exercise, deliberation and choice.

Question 5

Teleological

Answer 5

Roughly tranlating to telos ‘end’ and logos ‘reason’. Teleology relates to the explanation of something relating to its purpose of function. Aristotle believed humans have a function, and therefore he believed in human teleology.

Question 6

Habituation

Answer 6

The practising of a certain chosen skill, to the point where deliberation and resistance pertaining to that activity is no longer relevant. E.g., habituation in music pertains to the practising and learning of an instrument until a goal has been achieved. E.g., learning grade 8 on piano.

Question 7

‘The Golden mean’.

Answer 7

Relating to Aristotle, this is the appropriate amount of emotion or virtue expressed in any situation, not a defeceit or abundance of a certain characteristic, which would result in a vice. E.g., the golden mean between cowardice and breashness would be courage.

Question 8

Practical reasoning

Answer 8

According to Aristotle, this is the part of the soul which requires training in order to become aware of what the golden mean in any situation is. It is the part of the soul which is strengthened through reason, and therefore becomes a skill in habituating virtues.

Question 9

‘Mark of Virtue’

Answer 9

This is the label Aristotle gives to a person who knows how to act in any given situation in a virtuous way. This is a synonym for having ‘ethica arete’.

Question 10

Voluntary action

Answer 10

• An action performed under full awareness of all the situation’s terms.
• freely chosen decision
• responsibility is given to the agent despite of desire.
• an intended action

Question 11

Non-voluntary action

Answer 11

• Action performed in ignorance of the terms of an action.
• Oedipus example
• responsibility is given to the performer. However, pardon and forgiveness is given to an agent if they regret a viced action.
• If they would’ve done the same thing, they have full responsibility.

Question 12

Involuntary action (Straightforward)

Answer 12

• A non-intended action chosen by an external force from the agent.
• e.g., a sailor gets blown off course.
• They have no responsibility for the action, as they did not make the decision to take tat course of action.

Question 13

Involuntary action (‘Mixed’)

Answer 13

• An action performed our of obligation, but still performed by the agent without ignorance or external force.
• E.g., a sailor dumping cargo to prevent a ship from sinking.
• The agent is responsible for actions, but can be forgiven or pardoned if the contexti s examined.

Question 14

Stealing

Answer 14

Taking someone else’ property without their consultance, with no intention of giving it back.

Question 15

simulated killing

Answer 15

The viewing of or participating in the imitated death of a person.

Question 16

Eating animals

Answer 16

Consuming non-human animals.

Question 17

Lying

Answer 17

Stating an intentionally false proposition or witholding the truth from a person.