7. Developing the doctrine of the mean

Question 1

What is Aristotle’s 7th virtue ethic

Answer 1

Developing the doctrine of the mean

Question 2

(7) what is courage the mean of

Answer 2

fear and confidence

Question 3

(7) what is the excess and deficiency of courage

Answer 3

excess: recklessness
deficiency: cowardice

Question 4

(7) how does Aristotle define courage

Answer 4

-in terms of war
-ideally a soldier will want to survive but he is willing to die for a worthy cause

• it is not a virtue to go to war:
  -if one fears the punishment
  -if one is motivated by anger at the enemy
  -if one is motivated by passion for battle

Question 5

(7) is mean the moderation of the midpoint

Answer 5

-no, can’t moderate the amount of courage displayed
-courage is simply the midpoint of fear and cowardice

Question 6

(7) what is temperance the mean of

Answer 6

pleasure and pain

Question 7

(7) what is the excess and deficiency of temperance

Answer 7

excess: self indulgence
deficiency: insensibility

Question 8

(7) what does Aristotle say about temperance

Answer 8

a virtuous person will know how to enjoy the pleasures in moderation and the pain will revolt them

Question 9

(7) what is justice about

Answer 9

the common good NOT benefit for an individual

Question 10

(7) what is the excess and deficiency of justice

Answer 10

there is none, there is no mean either as every situation has its own fair and most beneficial outcome

Question 11

(7) how does Aristotle define the barrier between a just and unjust person

Answer 11

one who unknowingly commits an unjust act, therefore ignorant, has not been unjust

Question 12

(7) what was Aristotle’s belief on friendship vs justice

Answer 12

he believed that friendship is more important than justice

Question 13

(7) how are friendships and justice similar

Answer 13

they consider the good of others as an end in itself

Question 14

(7) Aristotle quote on friendship and justice

Answer 14

'’when people are friends they have no need of justice, but when they are just they need friendship … friendship is not only necessary but also noble

Question 15

(7) list the 3 kinds of friendships

Answer 15

friendship based on usefulness
friendship based on pleasure
friendship based on good

Question 16

(7) what is friendship based on usefulness

Answer 16

based on mutual benefit

Question 17

(7) what is friendship based on pleasure

Answer 17

also based on mutual benefit just through enjoyment

Question 18

(7) what is friendship based on goodness

Answer 18

-truly virtuous according to Aristotle
-two people who are friends because they wish for the goodness of each other
-can only exist between two virtuous people
-in this situation, altruism and egoism coinciding for the good of the other gives pleasure to the self