Virtue Ethics - Aristotle Flashcards
What is virtue ethics?
The act of having virtues to make us do the right thing. Those who are virtuous will automatically do the right thing.
Is it teleological?
Yes
Examples of virtuous people
Martin Luther King
Obama
Emma Watson
What does it mean to be virtuous?
A virtuous individual will know wether or not they are virtuous as they will be able to decide the right action, in the right place, time etc.
Being virtuous should remain effortless
Aristotle quote
“We are what we repeatedly do”
Definition of a virtue
Behaviour showing high moral standards
What is rational virtues
Intellectual virtues such as justice and understanding
This is forms by study and reflection
What is non-rational virtues?
This has moral virtues such as courage.
Formed by practice and following examples of others
What is the golden mean?
The golden mean is what Aristotle says is the perfect virtuous person.
They are not vice deficiency or excess, they are in the middle as they have knowledge of the most fair and most relevant approach to take for moral decision making
What are the cardinal virtues?
Justice: fairness for you and society
Prudence: showing care and thought for the future
Temperance: moderation or restraint
Fortitude: courage and pain or adversity
What is proper functioning
We all have functions that we must fulfil
A knife has a function to cut, wouldn’t be fulfilling function if it didn’t
Same as a flower. If it didn’t grow then it would be failing it’s function
What is meant by practical wisdom?
Character developed through habituation. If you do a virtuous thing over and over again then it will eventually become part of your character.
What is meant by eudaimonia?
EUDAEMONISTIC life will be full of happiness that comes from achieving something really difficult rather than just having it handed to you
Application to theft
People who are virtuous would know not to do so as they have the ability to know what is a right and wrong action, and theft is morally considered wrong.
Application to lying
Someone who is virtuous will be able to tell the difference between lying as an immoral action, and lying for the greater good
