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religious studies: ethics and religion > Virtue Ethics > Flashcards

Virtue Ethics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a virtue?

A

A characteristic which is to be valued

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2
Q

What does it mean to be a virtuous person?

A

Knowing what the best thing to do in a situation all the time aswell as having good judgement

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3
Q

What is virtue ethics?

A

An ethical theory that emphasizes an individuals character rather than following a set of rules.
Agent-centered.
It’s important to look upto a role model and copy their behavior.

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4
Q

What is meant by “agent-centered”?

A

The idea that the good isn’t within the act but within the person instead

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5
Q

Who created virtue ethics?

A

Aristotle

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6
Q

Who was Aristotle?

A

384-322BCE.
A greek philosopher.
His writings include science, politics and morality.
He wrote “Nicomachaen Ethics” which concerns how we live.

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7
Q

How does Aristotle start “Nicomachean Ethics”?

A

“Every art, enquiry and action as well as choice, is held to aim at some good” which is a teleological claim that there is some final end to which all activities are directed.

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8
Q

Who was Aristotle’s audience?

A

Rich white highly educated men (politicians)

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9
Q

What do most people agree is the final end?

A

Happiness (Eudaimonia)

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10
Q

What is meant by eudaimonia for Aristotle?

A

the good for humans, defined
finally as the intellectual
virtue of theoria (scientific)
contemplation.

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11
Q

What are the different views on happiness?

A

Some say that happiness is pleasure but Aristotle rejects that.
Others say happiness is receiving political honour but can easily be lost.
Others says happiness is wealth but it is just a means to the end.

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12
Q

How does Aristotle argue his account of eudaimonia?

A

Through the function argument

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13
Q

What is a function?

A

Work or accomplishment.

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14
Q

What is the function argument?

A

Everything has a function and a thing is good if it fulfils it’s function and bad to the extent if it doesn’t

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15
Q

According the function argument, what is the souls function?

A

The human good is a function of the soul in accord to virtue

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16
Q

Why do we need to find the right human function?

A

We need to find the right function for humans, because whatever
the human function is, human goodness will be in fulfilling it.

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17
Q

How is virtue in humans defined?

A

Virtue in a human is defined by the natural characteristics of the human
soul

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18
Q

What does Aristotle mean by the soul?

A

Does not refer to a non-physical aspect of humans:
instead, the soul is the form or blueprint of the body.

19
Q

What is a hierachy?

A

A system in which
the parts/members are ranked
according to status or authority.
In Aristotle, refers, for example,
to the hierarchy of souls.

20
Q

What does function depend on?

A

The nature of the soul

21
Q

What are humans characterized by?

A

it can only be the exercise of reason/the rational part of the soul,
which according to Aristotle is unique to humans.

22
Q

What does Aristotle argue is the end goal?

A

The end goal is focused on the rational soul

23
Q

How did Aristotle divide the human soul?

A

Rational
Non-rational

24
Q

What does the non-rational soul have?

A

Moral virtues meaning feelings and emotions such as courage, patience and modesty

25
Q

What does the rational soul have?

A

Intellectual virtues which require calculations and work such as doing maths, physics and philosophy

26
Q

How are moral virtues formed?

A

We are not born with these virtues, they are gained by practicing these virtues and then become a habit.

27
Q

Why is it important for people to practice being good as soon as possible?

A

Children acquire good or bad moral habits by following role models usually parents

28
Q

Why are role models important for virtuous people?

A

We don’t just become virtuous people by learning rules but by imitating virtuous people and their actions

29
Q

What are vices?

A

Extremes that specific virtues lie between

30
Q

What are the 2 vices that Aristotle uses?

A

Excess
Deficiency

31
Q

What is meant by an excess vice?

A

Too much of a virtue

32
Q

What is meant by a deficiency vice?

A

Too little of a virtue

33
Q

What does rational deliberation mean?

A

A choice on doing the right thing and is based on reasoning rather than emotions.

34
Q

What is the mean of a virtue?

A

The median – specific virtues lie between two extremes – the excess and deficiency.
The mean is relative to the
disposition of each individual.

35
Q

What is meant by “Phronimos”?

A

Greek term for “man of practical wisdom”
Aristotle believed that you must be trained to be a man of practical wisdom which has a good judge of ethical matters.

36
Q

Which virtues did Aristotle discuss?

A

Courage
Temperance
Justice
Friendship

37
Q

What is courage?

A

Courage means overcoming fear to the extent that you do not show it.
It’s deficiency is cowardice
It’s excess is foolhardiness

38
Q

What is temperance?

A

Aristotle means self-control when talking about pleasures of the body such as sex, and eating.
It’s deficiency is insensibility
It’s excess is self-indulgence

39
Q

What is justice?

A

Considers the good of others as an end in itself.
Doesn’t have a deficiency or excess, you either have it or don’t

40
Q

What is friendship?

A

An altruistic virtue because it considers the good of others
Aristotle thinks that friendship is similar in function to justice.

41
Q

What is Aristotle’s concluding argument?

A

The good life for humans is “theoria” (contemplation)

42
Q

Why does Aristotle believe that contemplation is good for human life?

A

Contemplation of knowledge gives us our greatest happiness and is done for our owns sake so it has intinsric value
Practical reason is merely human meaning we should explain and contemplate because it is a virtue.

43
Q

What are strengths of virtue ethics?

A

It is holistic meaning it considers the whole person’s character, and personality.
It is human-centered and values following moral character rather than obeying rules.
doesn’t have the problem of deontological ethics where rules conflict and doesn’t need hope for a good outcome.
Isn’t a perfect solution for all situations so instead guides and equip people.
Telos is good for society as when people are happy they resist urges.
Recognizes that people make mistakes and unvirtuous acts doesn’t affect future life.

religious studies: ethics and religion (5 decks)

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