Moral: Aristotle 2. virtue and the mean Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is virtue according to Aristotle?
Traits or states of a person that enable them to achieve some good purpose, esp. living a morally good life.
Aristotle argues that virtues are traits in accordance with reason and distinguishes virtues of intellect and virtues of character.
What are the two types of virtues Aristotle distinguishes?
- Virtues of intellect
- Virtues of character
These virtues aid the fulfilment of a thing’s ergon.
What is a moral virtue?
A disposition to feel, desire, and choose ‘well’.
Moral virtue is not a passion or a faculty but a state of character.
What does Aristotle mean by the doctrine of the mean?
Virtues and virtuous actions lie intermediate between two vices of ‘too much’ and ‘too little’.
This differs from an arithmetical mean as it is not a single point for all.
What is the role of practical wisdom in virtue according to Aristotle?
Helps us to skillfully judge the right thing to do and to grasp why it’s right.
It is a complementary virtue needed to possess moral virtues in full.
How do we acquire virtues of character?
Through the habits we form as we grow up and mature.
Virtues can’t simply be ‘taught’; there are no moral child prodigies.
What is the relationship between moral training and virtue acquisition?
Early moral training leads us to feel pleasure and pain in the right things.
Reward and punishment build the right associations.
How does Aristotle compare the development of virtues to learning a skill?
We develop virtues like we develop practical skills; practice, not just theory, is needed.
‘We acquire virtues by first doing virtuous acts.’
What does Aristotle say about the virtuous person’s feelings?
Their judgement won’t be undermined by excessive feeling but they will also be whole-hearted in action.
This means they act with emotion aligned with reason.
What is the significance of the virtuous person’s feelings and actions?
They should feel things and do things for the right reasons, doing so wholeheartedly.
This involves both an intellectual aspect and an affective aspect.
What is Aristotle’s function argument?
The human good (eudaimonia) will be achieved by performing our characteristic activity (ergon) well.
Traits that enable us to fulfill our ergon, which is rational activity, are virtues.
What is the difference between states of character and mental states?
States of character are more stable and long-lasting than mental states like moods and desires.
They can change over a lifetime but are central to being the person one is.
What does Aristotle mean by ‘the virtuous person’s feelings fit and support his good moral judgements’?
The feelings of the virtuous person align with their moral judgments, enhancing moral action.
This indicates a harmony between reason, desires, and feelings.
What is the role of reflection in becoming virtuous?
Reflection on actions and examples is crucial for moral development.
It helps in understanding and internalizing virtues.
True or False: According to Aristotle, virtues can be taught directly.
False.
Virtues are acquired through practice and habits, not just teaching.
Fill in the blank: A moral virtue is a disposition relating to how you feel, think, react etc in different situations, e.g., short-temperedness, _________.
generosity
According to Aristotle, what is not a literal part of the soul?
Rational and Arational
These represent different aspects of human experience and moral development.
What does Aristotle say about the virtuous person and their feelings?
They can feel intense feelings and do extreme acts when appropriate.
This contradicts the idea that virtue is always moderate.
What is the significance of role models in developing virtue?
Role models provide examples to emulate in moral development.
They help to shape our understanding of virtuous actions.
What does the term ‘eudaimonia’ refer to in Aristotle’s philosophy?
The human good achieved by performing our characteristic activity (ergon) well.
It is often translated as ‘flourishing’ or ‘well-being’.
In what way do virtues differ from skills according to Julia Annas?
Virtue is essential to the flourishing life, while skills can be opted out of.
Virtue involves our will more fully than skill.
What does Aristotle argue about the necessity of moral virtue?
Virtue is essential to the flourishing life and cannot survive inconsistency.
A just person would not act unjustly.
