Virtue ethics Flashcards
what is the definition of Virtue?
- A disposition or character trait, which is valued
- the opposite of this is vice
What is the definition of eudaimonia?
- that which is good for humans. the supreme goal for human life
- ultimate happiness through doing good deeds
What quote from Aquinas talks about good acts?
“we are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act but a habit.”
What is virtue ethics?
- Aristotle believed that by practice virtue would become effortless.
- Virtue ethics is then concerned with the development of one’s character.
What is the background of virtue ethics?
It is based on ancient Greek literature which described a heroic society. in such a society people were judged for their deeds. they became known for having a good character based on what they did morally “you are what you do”
What are the key aspects of virtue ethics?
- Aristotle argues that all humans have a telos to become a better person; the best version of themselves.
- the aim is to reach the ultimate good of eudaimonia, achieving ultimate happiness through being virtuous
- Followers of virtue ethics act in a way that helps them become morally perfect over time.
What does it mean when it is said that virtue ethics is ‘agent centred’?
unlike natural moral law and situational ethics which are focused on the act of people, virtue ethics is focused on the person.
What is the unique aspect of the human soul?
reason. the fact that humans can reason and can use this reason.
What is the difference between the rational and irrational soul?
- the rational part of the soul is the part that utilizes reason, intellect and decision-making. it is the source of intellectual and moral guidance. this is unique to humans
- the irrational part of the soul is the desires, emotions and biological functions humans and animals possess. from these come the feelings needed to be trained by humans
What is the doctrine of the mean?
- virtues lie between two extremes called excess and deficiency (or vices)
- the mean represents the appropriate rational choice of action in a given situation
Why can only voluntary actions be virtuous?
because a proper intention is needed to carry out a virtuous action. This does not include desire, wish, or opinion but must involve deliberation and choice made through reason. nobody can be virtuous by accident.
what is the definition of function?
- work or accomplishment
- something is good if it fulfils its function.
What is the definition of hierarchy?
- a system in which the parts or me,bers are ranked according to status or authority
- Aristotle refers to the hierarchy of souls, in which humans rank the highest, as they possess rationality and the ability to reason.
What did Aristotle believe about hierarchy?
-for Aristotle, there is a clear hierarchy in society.
- it goes philosophers -> positions -> people
Why is Aristotle a teleologist?
- because he believed that every object has a final cause.
- he argues that the good life for a human being is achieved when we act by our telos.
- all humans are aiming for something positive in the way that they behave.
-nature has built into humans the desire to be virtuous. - the perfect telos for humans to achieve is eudaimonia
What is eudaimonia according to Aristotle?
- the supreme goal of human life is achieving the supreme good through doing good deeds
- this is achieved when we become virtuous
- this should govern our lives; the pursuit of happiness.
What is the difference between superior and subordinate aims?
Superior aims are those that focus on the end goal while subordinate aims are the means of getting there.
What is the superior aim of life?
the good for oneself and humanity; eudaimonia
therefore the subordinate aim is the growth of one’s character through practicing virtues.
what did Aquinas say about eudaimonia and happiness?
” happiness, then, is found to be something perfect and self- sufficient, being the end to which our actions are directed.”
What is the function argument?
- all objects have a telos
- an object is good when it properly secures its telos.
- the telos of a human being is to reason
- the good of a human being is, therefore, acting in accordance with reason.
What does Aristotle mean by the soul?
the blueprint form of the body rather than a non-physical aspect of humans.
What is Aristotle’s hierarchy of souls?
plants -> animals -> humans.
What does the function depend on?
- the nature of the soul
- for humans, this is to reason and the rational part of the soul
What did Aristotle say about the function of humans?
“the good life is…that in which we as humans reason well”
What sets humans apart from animals?
we are “rational animals” and for this, we should strive to achieve moral excellence rather than simply living pleasure to pleasure.
In which parts of the soul are different virtues developed?
rational: intellectual virtues, theological virtues, practical virtues.
Irrational: moral virtues (generosity etc.)
Why do humans have to practise aiming for a good telos?
- a person must practice being ethical over time so that it becomes habitual.
- a person can do this by following a virtuous teacher or following the middle path
What did Aristotle say about habituation?
” we become just by perfoming just acts”
“ anything that we have to learn to do we learn by the actual doing of it”
What does Aristotle mean by the Mean?
- the median - middle ground where specific virtues lie between two extremes , excess and deficiency
- the mean is relative to the disposition of each individual.
Define Phronimos.
- The man of practical wisdom who in Aristotle’s system is best qualified to define virtuous behavior in any situation.
- his practical wisdom was acquired by constant practice an habitat.
What did Aristotle say about the good for man?
“the good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue”
What does Aristotle believe about about eudaimonia and community?
- eudaimonia is the goal in life
- developing virtues and using our reason to live a good life is a necessary feature of living alongside others
- this should not be done in solidarity ,but with the intent to promote the flourishing of the community too.
What did Aristotle say about community flourishing?
’ while it is desirable to secure what is good in the case of an individual. to do so in the case of a people or state, is something finer and more sublime.’
What are moral virtues?
- these are qualities of a character e.eg bravery, courage and patience
- these are practiced. they are brought about by repeatedly doing the action
- these are learnt through experience
What are intellectual virtues?
- these are qualities of mind that are taught and improved by instruction.
- this includes , scientific knowledge , intuition , prudence and good deliberation.
What is Prudence?
Prudence is the ability to learn from ones mistakes. this is an intellectual virtue.
What is intuitive intelligence?
Developing the ability to recognize the difference between right and wrong. this is an intellectual virtue.
What is the golden mean?
- the mid point between the excess and deficiency of a quality. this is relative to each situation. the ability to do this in any situation is called phronesis
What does Aristotle believe about virtues?
- while virtues may help us to achieve happiness they are not judges according to whether or not they achieve a particular result.
- for example they may be times where an extreme of a virtue leads to the best outcome. this does not make the quality good in and of itself however.
- on the other hand, the exercise of virtues would result in the optimum working of society.
what does Aristotle mean by a flourishing society?
- a society where everyone were to perfect the 12 moral virtues would be ‘flourishing’
What does Aristotle say about the virtues?
“for nobody would say that a man is just unless he enjoys acting justly… virtuous actions must be pleasurable in themselves.”
Wheat does Aristotle believe about intentions?
- An act is only virtuous if the motives are virtuous I themselves.
What does Aristotle believe about justice and friendship?
justice and friendship do not have extremes of excess or deficiency. both are altruistic.
What is theoria and why is it the highest good?
- the intellectual virtue of contemplation that brings about flourishing to the highest level, leading to eudaimonia.
- reason and intelligence is the highest aspect of human life, especially when used for the highest object of knowledge , scientific investigation.
-contemplation of the world brings about the greatest happiness because it is done for its own sake . it is intrinsically. good.
What does Peter Vardy say about Aristotelian ethics?
- virtue ethics mainly revolve around its ancient and thus possibly outdated origins. we cant base our moral principles on the ideas of a straight, wealthy, white male who existed many millennia ago?
