Moral: Aristotle definitions Flashcards
What is Arête?
An ‘excellence’, or more specifically, a ‘virtue’ – a quality that aids the fulfilment of a thing’s ergon (Aristotle).
What does Choice refer to in Aristotle’s philosophy?
What we decide upon as a result of deliberation, typically giving rise to voluntary action. Deliberate desire regarding something that is in one’s power (Aristotle).
What is the Doctrine of the Mean?
Aristotle’s claim that virtue requires us to feel, choose and act in an ‘intermediate’ way, neither ‘too much’ nor ‘too little’.
What is an End in Aristotle’s philosophy?
What an action seeks to achieve or secure, its aim or purpose.
What is a final End?
An end that we desire for its own sake, we can’t give some further purpose for why we seek it.
What does Ergon mean?
‘Function’ or ‘characteristic activity’ of something, e.g. the ergon of a knife is to cut, the ergon of an eye is to see.
How does Aristotle define Eudaimonia?
Often translated as ‘happiness’, but better understood as ‘living well and faring well’. It is the final end for human beings.
What is the Function Argument?
Aristotle’s argument that the human good (eudaimonia) will be achieved by performing our characteristic activity (ergon) well.
What is Involuntary action according to Aristotle?
An act is involuntary if it is either forced or done from ignorance that is not culpable.
What is Justice in Aristotle’s philosophy?
The principle that each person receives their ‘due’.
What is Non-voluntary action?
An action is non-voluntary if it is done from ignorance and if the ignorance is lifted, the agent does not regret the action.
What is Practical Reason?
Reasons and reasoning concerned with what we can change and making good choices.
What is Practical Wisdom?
(phronesis) An intellectual virtue of practical reason, involving knowledge of what is good or bad in general and in particular situations.
What does Responsibility mean in Aristotle’s ethics?
Accountability for the actions one performs and the consequences they bring about.
What is the Skill Analogy in Aristotle’s philosophy?
The analogy between virtues and practical skills, suggesting we learn both through practice.
What is Theoretical Reason?
Reasons and reasoning concerned with what we can’t change and what is true.
What is Vice according to Aristotle?
A trait that is morally bad, characterized by dispositions to feel or choose not in the mean.
What are Virtues?
Traits or states of a person that enable them to achieve some good purpose, especially living a morally good life.
What is Virtue Ethics?
The normative theory that starts from the question of what it is to be a good person, deriving morally right action from that.
What does Voluntary action mean in Aristotle’s philosophy?
We act voluntarily when we act as we choose, knowing what we are doing.
