Virtue Theory

Question 1

What is Telos?

Answer 1

Everything has a purpose written into its fabric from the beginning. We discover that purpose by asking the thing in question what it does best – the unique characteristic of the thing e.g. the eye has the purpose of seeing – this is what a good eye will do well

Question 2

What is eudemonia?

Answer 2

Happiness that’s fulfilled. Every human has a purpose. There must be a final overall aim towards which all things aim otherwise the world is pointless and empty. This final purpose is the supreme good

Question 3

What examples used to show the soul all working together?

Answer 3

Vardys fruitcake example

Question 4

Explain the doctrine of the mean

Answer 4

Aristotle claims we can work out our virtues by aiming for the mean or average between two corresponding vices

Question 5

Name a primary intellectual virtue

Answer 5

• Wisdom
• scientific knowledge
• technical skill
• intelligence
• prudence or practical wisdom

Question 6

Name a secondary intellectual virtue

Answer 6

• Resourcefulness
• understanding
• judgement
• cleverness

Question 7

Give an example of a virtuous mean

Answer 7

• Courage
• generous
• truthful
• witty
• benevolent

Question 8

Give an example of a vice of deficiency

Answer 8

• Cowardance
• addictive
• envious
• mean
• lazy

Question 9

Give an example of a vice of excess

Answer 9

• Rash
• spitefulness
• boastful
• single-minded

Question 10

Name a cardinal virtue

Answer 10

Wisdom, temperance, courage and justice

Question 11

Ben _____ believed that the choice you make should bring the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Answer 11

Franklin

Question 12

Philippa ____ Believe that we should focus on being a better person before focusing on doing something good

Answer 12

Foot

Question 13

What does Slote argue?

Answer 13

They argue that virtue ethics is mostly based on commonsense ideas so it is a good theory. If you’re virtuous, you will do admirable things. To be virtuous, you should be caring to people close and far from you

Question 14

What are some strengths of virtue theory

Answer 14

• reaching happiness seems to be a good goal
• it is very flexible
• it’s encompasses all aspects of life, not just some actions
• it’s six Christian ethics but it also reaches beyond religion. Rather than simply looking for rules, it looks at the fundamental issue of what it means to be human

Question 15

What are some weaknesses of virtue theory?

Answer 15

• consequences of actions are not considered
• Society needs clear rules to regulate the behaviour of its members, virtue theory doesn’t provide this
• virtue ethics doesn’t provide answers to specific moral dilemmas such as euthanasia, nor does it provide a list of intolerable acts such as murder which we might want to condemn out right
• it’s difficult to decide who is virtuous, as external acts may appear virtuous on the outside may have a doubtful interior motive which cannot be perceived

Question 16

What are some criticisms of the doctrine of the mean?

Answer 16

Some say it leads to a blind, uniform response to all situations

Question 17

What are the 8 beatitudes of Jesus?

Answer 17

Jesus’ description on what a good person looks like e.g. right ambitions, friendliness

Question 18

To reach eudemonia, you need to develop the soul into 2 sides. What are they?

Answer 18

Rational and irrational

Question 19

What are the primary intellectual virtues?

Answer 19

Primary wisdom
Technical skill
Scientific knowledge 
Intelligence 
Wisdom

Question 20

What are the secondary intellectual virtues?

Answer 20

Resourcefulness
Understanding
Cleverness