Topic #4: Virtue Ethics Flashcards
He is considered to be the most important virtue ethicist
Aristotle
The Three Souls according to Plato
Intellectual Soul
The Will Soul
Desire Soul
this refers to the most important and as Plato would put it must rule over the parts of the souls
Intellectual Soul
This refers to the souls which is the second most important virtue
Will-Soul
This refers to the soul which is the this third most important virtue
Desire soul
Virtue of the Intellectual soul
Wisdom
Virtue of the will-soul
Courage
Virtue of the Desire-Soul
Moderation
Aristotelian Philosophy
Every species has its own role in the universe, it is fulfilling its role well that defines what is the ultimate good of that thing or animal
Key concepts of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics
What is Ergon (function) of a human being?
- use reason well to live well
Eudaimonia
- live a life seeking true or real happiness
Arete
- live a life in virtue
Phronesis
- live a life in humbleness and sensitivity
Different Kinds of Souls
Plant Soul
Animal Soul
Intellectual Soul
this is the soul that has the capacity for nourishment and reproduction
Plant Soul
this is the soul that has the capacity of perception and self-motion
Animal Soul
this is the soul that has the capacity to reason
Intellectual Soul
this is a moralised, or value-laden concept of happiness, something like “true” or “real” happiness
Eudaimonia
External Goods aside from Virtue that are needed to achieve eudaimonia
- Health
- Wealth
- Friends
- to have friends who are good and alike in virtue
- Functional Society
Criticism Against Virtue Ethics
- No fundamental principles
Two kinds of Virtues
Intellectual Virtues
Moral Virtues
Two kinds of Intellectual Virtues
Theoretical Intelligence
Practical Wisdom
It is is the human faculty that apprehends fundamental principles such as the laws of thinking and other fundamental truths.
Theoretical Intelligence
This is the ability to make right judgment on practical issues.
Practical Wisdom
This is the ability to be reasonable in actions, desires and emotions.
Moral Virtues
Two Kinds of Good Life
The good life in which the subject devotes himself to abstract contemplation of knowledge.
The other alternative is active life in society which involves taking part in all the activities that human beings undertake to make their own life and the life of their society better.
