Lecture 3 Aristotle Flashcards
Who was Aristotle, and why is he significant in the history of philosophy?
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, pupil of Plato, teacher of Alexander the Great, and founder of the Lyceum. His works like ‘Politics’ and ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ shaped Western thought on ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
How did Aristotle’s philosophy differ fundamentally from Plato’s metaphysics?
Aristotle rejected Plato’s idea of a separate world of Forms, focusing instead on the essence of things being immanent and tied to their purpose (telos).
What is the core idea of Aristotle’s virtue ethics?
Virtue ethics is about achieving a balance or ‘mean’ between extremes (e.g., courage is the mean between cowardice and rashness).
How does Aristotle define eudaemonia, and why is it central to his ethics?
Eudaemonia is human flourishing achieved through virtuous living, guided by reason and aimed at fulfilling one’s potential.
What is the role of practical wisdom (phronesis) in Aristotle’s philosophy?
Phronesis, or practical wisdom, is the ability to make sound decisions by balancing reason and experience in everyday life.
Explain Aristotle’s concept of teleology with an example.
Teleology is the idea that everything has a purpose. For example, an acorn’s purpose (telos) is to grow into an oak tree.
What does Aristotle mean by ‘Man is a political animal’?
‘Man is a political animal’ means humans are naturally inclined to form societies because they can reason and discuss justice and ethics.
What were Aristotle’s critiques of Plato’s views on property and family?
Aristotle argued that Plato’s communal property leads to disinterest and inefficiency, and communal families undermine love and personal responsibility.
How does Aristotle define justice in the context of politics?
Justice is giving each individual what is due, distributing goods and power based on merit and virtue.
What is the difference between oikonomia and chrematistics in Aristotle’s economic thought?
Oikonomia involves household management to meet natural needs, while chrematistics involves unlimited wealth accumulation, which Aristotle deemed unnatural.
What is the function of the polis in Aristotle’s philosophy?
The polis is a self-sufficient community enabling individuals to achieve the good life through justice and political engagement.
Name the six forms of government Aristotle identified, and classify them as good or corrupt.
Good forms: Monarchy, Aristocracy, Polity. Corrupt forms: Tyranny, Oligarchy, Democracy.
Why does Aristotle consider democracy a corrupt form of government?
Democracy is corrupt because it prioritizes the interests of the majority without regard for virtue or merit, leading to instability.
What are Aristotle’s criteria for citizenship in the polis?
Citizens must be free, economically independent, male, native-born, and educated to participate in ruling and being ruled.
What does Aristotle believe about natural hierarchies among slaves, women, and men?
Aristotle believed slaves are naturally suited to serve, women are rational but lack authority, and children possess immature rationality.
