Moral: Aristotle virtue ethics 1, eudaimonia Flashcards
What are virtues?
Traits or states of a person that enable them to achieve some good purpose, especially living a morally good life.
According to Aristotle, virtues are traits in accordance with what?
Reason.
What is an example of an act-centred ethical theory?
Utilitarianism, Kantian ethics.
What does an agent-centred ethical theory focus on?
The sort of person we should aspire to be.
According to Anscombe’s 1958 paper, what is flawed about modern moral philosophy?
It does not assume the existence of God but keeps the idea of absolute moral obligation.
What does virtue ethics argue about moral action?
We ‘ought’ to act morally in a hypothetical sense if we want to live a flourishing/fulfilled life.
What is a final end?
An end that we desire for its own sake, not just for some further purpose.
What is eudaimonia?
Often translated as ‘happiness’ but better understood as ‘living well and faring well’.
How does Aristotle view eudaimonia?
It is not subjective and is not a psychological state, but an objective quality of someone’s life as a whole.
What is the function of humans according to Aristotle?
Rational activity.
What is the function argument?
Aristotle’s argument that the human good (eudaimonia) will be achieved by performing our characteristic activity well.
What is arête?
An excellence or ‘virtue’ that aids the fulfilment of a thing’s ergon.
What does rational activity mean?
Action guided by reasons/principles.
What is the relationship between eudaimonia and virtue?
Eudaimonia consists of the rational activity of the soul in accordance with virtue(s).
What types of goods does Aristotle identify?
Goods of the mind, goods of the body, external goods.
What is a constitutive means?
Means that actually form part of the goal.
How does Aristotle define the good life?
It involves virtue, pleasure, and prosperity.
Fill in the blank: Eudaimonia is sought for its own sake and is ________ without qualification.
Final.
Fill in the blank: Eudaimonia consists of the rational activity of the soul in accordance with virtue(s) in a ________ life.
Complete.
What is the common misconception about eudaimonia?
That it is equivalent to mere pleasure.
What is necessary for a definitive judgment of eudaimonia?
It cannot be made before death.
What is the distinction between eudaimonia and pleasure?
Pleasure is shared with animals, while eudaimonia involves a richer notion of living well.
What does Aristotle say about external goods?
They are needed to live virtuously.
True or False: Eudaimonia is subjective.
False.
What is Aristotle’s view of eudaimonia?
Eudaimonia is ‘doing well and faring well’ and is considered the human good.
What does eudaimonia represent in terms of human goals?
It is the one thing we seek for its own sake.
Is eudaimonia a more plausible goal than happiness in the hedonistic sense?
Yes, it is considered a more plausible goal.
What is the function argument in Aristotle’s philosophy?
It asserts that eudaimonia is determined by function – characteristic activity.
What are the key terms associated with Aristotle’s view of eudaimonia?
- Virtue ethics
- The good
- Eudaimonia
- End (telos)
- Final end
- Arête
- Ergon
- The Function argument
- Rational activity
How important is the function argument to Aristotle’s account of eudaimonia?
It is important but has weaknesses that may undermine or challenge the account.
True or False: The function argument is universally accepted as successful in defining eudaimonia.
False
Fill in the blank: Eudaimonia is determined by _______.
[function – characteristic activity]
What is arête in the context of Aristotle’s ethics?
Arête refers to virtue or excellence.
What does ergon refer to in Aristotle’s philosophy?
Ergon refers to the characteristic activity of humans.
