Aristotle's Value Ethics

Aristotle: Historical Context

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher.

• Teacher Pipeline:

  • Plato → Socrates → Alexander the Great

Normative Theories

Philosophical theories that asks “What should I do?”

Arete

Virtue (Excellence)

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Character traits, middle between extremes

Telas

Purpose/goal

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: End toward which a thing aims; basis for function

Eudaimonia

Flourishing (often rendered “happiness”)

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Highest human good, living the good life

Ergon

Function

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Knowing what its purpose is

Phronesis

Practical reason (practical wisdom):

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Ability to make good decisions in real life situations. Knowing what to do, when to do it, and how to do it well

Episteme

Scientific Knowledge:

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Knowing why things are the way they are, not just that they are

Techne

Technique/ art:

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Ability to make or do something well

Sophia

Wisdom: 

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Deep universal knowledge

Key Idea: Phronesis helps you live well day to day, but sophia helps you understand the ultimate nature of things

Nous

Intuition/ Understanding:

• Role in Aristotle’s Ethics: Being able to grasp principles or basic truths without needing proof

The Golden Mean

Virtues occupy a middle ground between two vices: One of excess, and one of deficiency

• Examples:

  • Courage: Excess Vice = Foolishness vs Deficiency Vice = Cowardice

  • Honesty: Excess Vice = Boastfulness vs Deficiency Vice = Concealment/ False Modesty

  • Generosity: Excess Vice = Extravagance vs Deficiency Vice = Stinginess

Virtue → Flourishing (Eudaimonia)

Aristotle beliefs that there is no shortcut to Eudaimonia, one must develop virtues to achieve the good life

Key Idea: All eudaimonic individuals have the presumed virtues in Aritstotle’s framework

Aristotle’s Core Values

• Wit: Ability to use humor and insight; adds liveliness to life

• Mildness/ Gentleness: Balanced calmness in human relationships

• Magnanimity: Knowing one’s self worth; being the bigger person in competition or conflict

• Generosity: Spending appropriately according to one’s means

• Ambition: Appropriate drive toward excellence; neither foolhardy nor lazy

Pros and Cons of a Fixed Virtue Set

Pros: 

• Provides a shared moral framework for building societies

• Facilitates intercultural dialogue and cooperation

Cons: 

• May be too rigid to accommodate diverse culture values

• Can suppress virtues that are crucial in particular contexts