Virtue Theory Flashcards
Who wrote Nichomachean Ethics?
Aristotle but it was compiled and edited by his son (Nichomachus)
Nichomachean Ethics
Describes the purpose of life, the divisions of the soul and the various qualities of mind and character that are supposed to be necessary for moral conduct
What quality fulfils all the virtues?
Friendship
What does Book 1 of Nichomachean Ethics concern?
- The true objects or purpose of life
2. Everything a person does is directed towards some kind of aim
What does Aristotle consider to be the final aim?
Good - not only for oneself but for all humanity
What are the 3 broad categories of people?
- Those who love pleasure
- Those who love honour
- Those who love contemplation
Purely free-thinking individuals
- There’s no thing as a purely free-thinking individual
2. Our individuality is already partly decided for us by our peers
What two parts is the soul divided into?
Rational and Irrational
Irrational
- Vegetative - basic instincts necessary for individual and collective survival
- Desiderative - varied desires and wants that can be channelled and controlled.
Rational
- Scientific - can grasp invariable first principles e.g. knowledge of subjects
- Calculative - allows us to make decisions
What are the two types of virtues?
- Moral
2. Intellectual
Moral
Connected to the desiderative and irrational part of the soul - cultivated through habit
Intellectual
Connected to the rational part of the soul - cultivated through instruction
How many moral virtues are there?
12
Courage
Rashness ———– Cowardice
Modesty
Shyness ————- Shamelessness
How many intellectual virtue are there?
9 (5 primary and 4 secondary)
Doctrine of the Mean (analogy)
All acorns have the potential to become actual oak trees but only some of them will become so
What are the 3 kinds of friendship?
- Utility
- Pleasurable
- Perfect
Utility
- Friends that are useful to us
- Most friendships in the world of work are utility friendships
Pleasurable
- Friends that give us pleasure and the friendship evolves through feelings and emotions
- Tend to be impermanent and based on sexual attraction
Perfect
- Based on goodness
- There are few truly good friendships for there are few truly good people
Criticisms of Virtue Theory
- An elaboration of a very Orthodox Greek view of aristocratic living
- Racist
- Sexist
- Speciest
- Ageist
- Elitist
Responses to the Criticisms of Virtue Theory
Aristotle was ‘culture-bound’ and couldn’t have transcended all of the conceptual constraints of his time and culture
Eudemonia
- Well-being in the sense of being successful or fulfilled
2. The outcome of being virtuous
What’s the main goal of Virtue Theory?
To create a good life
To be happy and fulfilled through cultivating virtues
What did Roger Scruton say in relation to Virtue Theory?
It’s more about ‘doing’ than ‘being’
What are the 3 aspects of happiness?
- A life of enjoyment
- A life with freedom
- Being a philosopher
What’s the most important virtue and why?
Wisdom - it’s the overall characteristic of a person that can maintain all aspects of happiness
What (according to Aristotle) are the four key virtues?
- Temperance
- Courage
- Justice
- Wisdom
Jesus’ Virtues
Each virtue is considered ‘blessed’ and has a corresponding spiritual reward
What do some scholars argue that Jesus’ virtues echo?
Isaiah 61:1 - 3
