Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics

How is virtue ethics different to utilitarianism and Kantian ethics?

Utilitarianism and kantian ethics are action-based (define giid by the actions we do) whereas virtue ethics is agent based (defines good by tge people we are)

Define summum bonum

The highest, ultimate good

Give a quote from Aristotle about the summum bonum

“ Every art, every procedure, every sction and undertaking aims at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared that at which all things aim” 1st good refers to a goal that adds value to our life whilst the 2nd good refers to the summum bonum

Define means

Actions we do to achieve other things.

Define ends

Actions we do for the sake of doing that action eg watching a sunset

What is Eudaimonia?

The Summum Bonum. It means a life of flourishment and is a life full of actions chosen according to reason.

What is the criteria for Eudaimonia?

• it must be an end

• it must be the final end

• it must be self-sufficient (needs nothing to make it desirable)

• it is the most desirable of all things

• it must be something intimately related to us as humans

What is the function argument?

To have a good life, you must be a good human and the function argument tells us how to be a good human through reason.

What 3 points does the Function Argument have?

• the Good for humans consists in us fulfilling our function

• Humans do have a function

• Reason is the function of humans

Expand on the first point if the function argument

The Giid for humans consists in us fulfilling oir function:

• An object is good if it fulfills its function (ergon). Eg a knife is a good knife if it has the successful quality (arete) of being sharp as this fulfills its ergon (function) to cut things.

• Similarly humans are good if they fulfill their function by having aretes.

Expand on the 2nd point of the function argument

• Occupations have functions so is it likelu for occupations to have functions while man has none

• Different parts of the body have a function so human being as a whole should have a function.

• So humans have a function

Expand on the 3rd point of the function argument.

Reason is the function of humans:

• function of humans can not be shared with animals or plants.

• Animals/ plants can’t reason but we can - we have rational souls.

• So the function of humans is to reason.

What is a quote about the 3rd point of the function argument?

“The function of man is an activity of the soul which follows or implies a rational primciple”

What are weaknesses to the function argument?

The argument that humans have a function is not strong enough:

• is a weak argument from analogy since objects in the analogy are not similar enough to humans, why should humans be like occupations. (Eudaimonia requires something to be intimately close to us as humans).

• Fallacy of the composition: just because all parts of a system have a function does not mean the whole system has a function eg like how a tv is made up of squares it does not mean the whole tv is square.

What are ways in which you can fulfill your function?

• virtues

• Doctrine of the mean

• Phronesis

Define ergon

Function

Define arete

A quality that helps complete a function

Define disposition

Tendency ti behave habitually and reliably in a certain way

Define vice

A disposition possessed by bad people

Define virtue

a disposition possessed by good people

Give 2 quotes about the role of education and habituation in virtues

• “The moral virtues are engendred in us neither by nor contrary to nature; we are constituted by nature to receive them but their full development in us is due to habit”

• “Like actions produce like dispositions”

How do virtues make you a good person?

Humans are born with the potential to have virtues but they only have a virtue if that virtue is a habit. You cultivate it like a skill:

• initiak observation and taught it

• Practice and improve

• Become independent from being taught

A good person also has no internal conflict when doing good actions.

To have a virtue, you must understand it, have a history of doing it and enjoy doing it.

Give a quote about virtues and feeling

“ virtues are concerned with actions and feeling”

What is a strength of Aristotle’s virtue theory?

Overcomes the Father A and Father B problem which Kant had. Father A does not love his child but plays woyh him out of duty. Father B loves his child and plays with him because he enjoys it. Whereas Kant argued Father A was the better father but aristotle would argue father b is a better father which seems more correct to us.

What is the doctrine of the mean/ the golden mean?

The idea tgat actions or feeling should not be done is excess or deficiency to be good. Eg if we lack in courage we are cowardly but if we have too much we are stupid and reckless so its good to have a midfle level.

The mean is subjective , it is equidistant from the two extremes in our sepcific situations eg a person stubbing their toe has a much lower mean of anger compared to a person whose whole family was just murdered.

Give a quote about the doctrine of the mean

“ we have a bad disposition … if our tendency is too strong or too weak, and a good one if our tendency is moderate”

What is a strength of the doctrine of the mean?

Supports the idea of emotional intelligence which is prominent in psychology and modern day.

What is a criticism of the doctrine of the mean?

It has unclear guidance. Unlike utilitarianism whivh has the utility calculus and kantian ethics who have the categorical imperative, the golden mean is very much up to interpretation which may be comfusing at times.

What is phronesis?

Means practical wisdom. Aristotle doesn’t see morality like a set of rules to be followed but rather as practical wisdom being applied to different situations. Phronesis is about:

• having a general understanding to what is good for human beings

• being able to apply this understanding to situations

• able to find what virtuous goal comes from a situation

• Aabke to act accordingly to that virtuous goal.

An example would be how you hug a friend whi is afraid of dogs when around dogs but you would not hug a friend who is experiencing claustrophobia.

What are the three types of action?

• Voluntary- actions intended by the agent

• Involuntary - actions performed under impulsion or through ignorance, you can get mixed acts under compulsion where you choose to do an action because you are being forced between two options.

• Non-voluntary - actions done by accidnet eg spilling a drink on someone

What does Aristotle believe about moral responsibility?

Only responsible for voluntary actions, mixed acts do deserve judgement as there was some form of choice but also deserve more understanding and forgiveness.

What is the circularity criticism?

Aristotle defines virtuous acts as simething a virtuous person woukd do and a virtuous person as someone who does virtuous acts, doesn’t pass ZaGZEBSKI crietria for a good definition.

What is the comoeting virtues criticism?

Some virtues would give different outcomes to tye same situation. So you would have to pick one virtue and act in an unvirtuous way. Eg the virtues of justice and mercy would give different outcome sto sentencinga prisoner. CA: could do both virtues in a suitable amount eg act in a just way but show a little mercy.

What is the ‘difference between Eudaimonia and moral good criticism’?

Imagine a nurse spending all her life nursing in another country, not enjoying her work and she does from a virus at age 30. Most peopel see herblife as morally good but she has not achieved eudaimonia. So you can have a moral life without eudaimonia. CA: the nurse could have had a more moral life with eudaimonia . Can argue was immoral for her not to look after herself more.