Moral : Virtue Ethics

Question 1

eudaimonia

Answer 1

activity of the soul which exhibits the virtues by being in accordance w/ reason

Question 2

virtue

Answer 2

state of character concerned w/ choice
lying in the mean
i.e. the mean relative to us
this mean is determined by a rational principle
and by the principle which the person of practical wisdom would determine it

Question 3

practical wisdom

Answer 3

(phronesis)
intellectual virtue
a virtue of practical reasoning

Question 4

theoretical reason

Answer 4

investigates what we can >< change and aims @ the truth

e.g. maths + laws governing the structure of a plant ≠ living a good life

Question 5

practical reason

Answer 5

investigates what we can change & aims @ making good decisions
good choices = correct reasoning and right desires

Question 6

practical wisdom

Answer 6

’ a true and reasoned state or capacity to act with regard to the things that are good/ bad for man ‘
takes place in the soul
gives humans their distinct characteristic activity

Question 7

stages of practical wisdom

Answer 7

1. general concept of +/ - related to the conditions of human flourishing
   (entails within it some understanding of what is required by humans)
2. ability to perceive in light of (1) what is required in terms of feeling + choice + action in a particular situation
3. ability to deliberate well
4. ability to act on that deliberation
   so general k + particular k + an ability to reason towards a choice + an ability to act on that choice

Question 8

how can you fail to deliberate well?

Answer 8

• your understanding of Eudaimonia is wrong
  deliberating from the wrong end - wrong starting point -. your general k of the + is faulty
• do >< understand the correct end we have achieved
  morality should >< involve luck
  k of the particular circumstances / reasoning = faulty
• failing to deliberate or taking too long

Question 9

why does VE place great moral autonomy on the moral agent?

Answer 9

> < rules for applying k of the good life to the current situation

• > > < a deontological approach
• > you have to work it out yourself
• > you have to deliberate well over it
• > places great moral autonomy on the agent

Question 10

why does VE view ethics as objective?

Answer 10

Eudaimonia is real
there is a truth of the matter to be discovered
the ideal is fixed