Moral: Aristotle virtue ethics 5, voluntary action, choice, responsibility Flashcards
Are we morally responsible for actions?
Yes, we can appropriately blame/praise them based on the nature of the action.
What makes an action involuntary?
Two factors: force and ignorance.
Define voluntary actions.
Actions where we know what we are doing and we bring it about ourselves.
What happens in cases of force?
The cause is not me but an external force.
What is an example of ignorance rendering an action involuntary?
Accidentally poisoning a friend with an allergy due to lack of knowledge.
What distinguishes voluntary actions from involuntary?
Voluntary actions are done with knowledge and intention, while involuntary actions are accompanied by regret.
What does Aristotle say about actions done under extreme psychological pressure?
They should be pardoned, not blamed.
What does it mean to act involuntarily from ignorance?
It happens because you lack knowledge and feel regret.
Fill in the blank: We can only be praised/blamed for _________ actions.
[voluntary]
What is the relationship between choice and voluntary actions according to Aristotle?
All choices are voluntary, but not all voluntary actions are chosen.
What do we deliberate about?
We deliberate about means to achieve our ends.
How does Aristotle view bad actions?
Bad actions are voluntary as they arise from mistaken desires.
What is the objection regarding moral responsibility and bad people?
It is unfair to blame them when they do not understand what is truly desirable.
What is Aristotle’s reply to the objection regarding bad people’s ignorance?
Their ignorance is a result of their character, which is shaped by their choices.
What does Clarence Darrow argue about responsibility?
We are not responsible for what we are due to genetic and environmental factors.
Fill in the blank: Choice requires both voluntariness and __________.
[deliberation]
What is the significance of Aristotle’s concept of the voluntary?
It is essential for understanding moral responsibility.
What happens when a person acts under psychological pressure?
They may still make a choice but should not be blamed if it overstrains human nature.
Are bad actions voluntary or involuntary according to Aristotle?
Voluntary.
What does Aristotle say about the cultivation of virtue or vice?
We cultivate virtue or vice by acting in virtuous or vicious ways.
Do we deliberate about ends according to Aristotle?
No, we always deliberate about means to achieve further ends.
What is the difference between acting in ignorance and acting from ignorance?
Acting in ignorance is voluntary; acting from ignorance is involuntary.
