Part 2-Ethics and Philosophies of Life Flashcards
Life’s Greatest Good
Summum Bonum-Philosophers believe once this is discovered then action are simply rated on how well they realize this end
Ethics
Study of right conduct and the good life
difference between ethics and morals
Like the difference between theory and practice. one refers to the thoery of conduct and the good life and the other refers to the actual practice of right conduct and the good life
Socrates reason for why people encounter difficulties
Becasue they do not know themselves.. A man who truly knows himself will suceed for he will know precisely what is in his capabilities and in what area to apply them
People assume proximity to be an indication for insight but Socrates would say
“Do you think you know yourself, merely becasue you know your own name?”
Human beings and horses
How do we determine informtion about a horse. We look at certain indicators like age, strength and health and we also use the coonsequences of thier physical actions. We study how much they move and how well they can do it
Why do we not do this for ourselves? Write a truly deep understanding of ourselves.
According to Socrates anyone who knows the right thing..
will do it
Wrong actions are comitted out of ignorance for if an individual could see the consequences o
Aristotle’s Idea
Self-Realization
Man’s goal in life must be to realize his potential
According to Aristotle Nature..
does nothing in Vain
All things, living or dead, were created for a purpose
:man at birth is but a COMPLEX OF POTENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS but he may develop his powers to become an artist, musician etc
According to Aristotle what is Life’s ultimate end
Happiness
All things are done as means to this end. Money, work and property are all means to an end. If man were deprived of his chance to achieve happiness, his interest in living, his desire to continue would end
Happiness is the Summum Bonum
The human mind’s highest ability to think,contemplation, the activity of the mind, is the source of man’s highest joy
Aristotle:Man’s threefold Nature
Vegetable (physical)
Animal(Emotional or sensual)
Rational (human)
It is this last one that is the door which only man alone can walk through and achieve his true potential.
Definition of Virtue according to Aristotle
Virtue is habitual moderation, the habitual avoidance of extreme modes of conduct
Extremes are always evil. Virtue lies in the moderation of all things
A virtuous person is one who not only on on or tow occasions but FREQUENTLY practices virtuous conduct
First 6 Arsitotelian Virtues
Cowardice Courage Foolhardiness
Insensibility Temperance Licentiousness
Illiberality Liberality Prodigality
Meanness Magnificence Vulgarity
Humility Magnanimity Vanity
Lack of Ambition (Unnamed) (Over) Ambitiousness
What would Jesus say to humility being a vice. Did he not endure what would be, if Aristotle accepting him as God, the ultimate vice of humility. Going far beyond what humans would think necessary
What is the unnamed one???
Last 6 Aristotelian Virtues
Impassivity Gentleness Irascibility
Self-Deprecation Truthfulness Boastfulness
Boorishness Wittiness Buffoonery
Quarrelsome Friendliness Obsequiousness
Shamelessness Modesty Bashfulness
Maliciousness
Righteous Indignation of Justice (Sum of Virtue)
Envy
The hard part about determining the virtue
No easy task, for virtue means doing the right hing , in relation to the right person, at the right time, to the right extent, in the right manner, for the right person
Giving away money alone is not in itself virtuous but it has to be given to the right person, for the right amount, in right purpose, and at the right time
