Virtue ethics Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is Aristotle book called?
Nichomachean ethics
What are the four causes?
Material. Formal. Efficient. Final.
Every art and every enquiry and similarly every action
As well as choice is held to aim at some good
What does Aristotle say can’t be humans ergon?
Can’t be pleasure as even cattle experience that.
Can’t be political honour as it’s given to you.
Can’t be wealth as that can be lost.
What is Aristotles function argument?
It gives an account for eudamonia. Everything is working towards a purpose.
What is the rational soul?
Intellectual virtues. They contribute most to the good life because they are under the control of reason
What is the non rational soul?
Moral virtues. They should be formed by habit but not blind habit . They are helped by the intellectual virtues.
How is virtue assessed?
Over someone’s life.
What is a phronimos?
A man of practice wisdom who should be imitated.
Virtue therefore is a characteristic marked by choice
Residing in the mean relative to us
How should we make decisions?
Using choice and rational deliberation.
What is the doctrine of the mean/ golden mean?
We should find the mean of the virtue between the excess and deficiency.
What does Aristotle say about the virtue courage?
Specifically in threat of war. Should overcome fear but not be rash. Not moderate courage. Not violent passions because they won’t be sustained
What does Aristotle say about the virtue temperance?
In the areas drinking eating and sex. Most people are in excess
What does Aristotle say about friendship?
It’s an altruistic virtue as it considers the good of the person. Based on usefulness, pleasure and goodness. Goodness is the best as it is longer lasting.
What does Aristotle say is our ergon?
Theoria. Contemplation . It’s an activity of reason and therefore the greatest thing we can do.
What does Aristotle say about lying?
You should always try to be honest otherwise you present yourself badly to society. However it’s “futile rather than bad”. It goes against the virtue honesty but could bring about other virtues.
What does Aristotle say about theft?
This is a base action. It focussed on lesser goods and takes without consent. It means that society is less generous and stops us from flourishing.
What does Aristotle say about abortion?
Aristotle would allow it “ before sense and life has begun” . It’s up to the state. It can be allowed if it’s stopping Simone achieving eudamonia. Modern virtue ethicists would stress the seriousness of the decision and would say just because it’s within your right doesn’t mean it’s virtuous.
What does Aristotle say about capital punishment?
Would have been normal in his time. It’s based in justice which has no excess or deficiency because it’s not based on passions. It has to be balanced by the state.
What does Aristotle say about euthanasia?
If the person is no longer able to achieve eudamonia then it could be courageous to do euthanasia although some would say that enduring the pain would be more courageous.
What does Aristotle say about designer babies?
Wouldn’t have been an issue but probably not as we can develop virtues through our life through habit. The mean is relative to everyone to achieve the virtues. Designer babies are not voluntary.
What does Aristotle say about embryonic research?
Wouldn’t have been an issue but probably not. It would lead to a world where society have different sets of virtues for different people and that’s wrong there is only one set of virtues.
What does Aristotle say about cloning?
Animal research is fine because they are below us in the hierarchy of souls. It uses reason and scientific discovery but there could be better research methods that are more compassionate.
