VIRTUE ETHICS

A Good vs. The Good:

In Aristotle’s ethics, “a good” refers to something
that is desirable or beneficial in a particular context (e.g., good food, good
eyesight), while “the Good” refers to the ultimate end or highest aim of
human life—eudaimonia, or flourishing—which gives order and purpose to
all lesser goods.

2. Conflict Problem:

The problem of conflicting virtues—e.g., honesty vs. loyalty—where different virtues might seem to require incompatible
actions in the same situation.

3. Eudaimonia:

Happiness or flourishing; the full realization of a good
human life. Defined in Aristotle’s theory Virtue Ethics as living well and
fulfilling one’s function through virtue.

4. Golden Mean:

Aristotle’s idea that virtue lies between two extremes of “excess and deficiency” such as courage lies between recklessness and
cowardice.

State (hexis):

A stable disposition or condition of the soul, formed through habit, which enables a person to act and feel in accordance with
reason. In ethics, hexis includes virtues like courage or temperance. While an excellent state (i.e., arete, or virtue) is necessary for
happiness, happiness itself cannot consist in a state—because a state is passive and static, whereas happiness is active.

6. Activity (energeia):

The actualization or exercise of a capacity; for
Aristotle, energeia is metaphysically more complete and final than mere
potential. In ethics, it refers to the ongoing activity of living virtuously and rationally. Happiness (eudaimonia) consists primarily in activity, especially the highest and most self-sufficient kind: theoretical activity (contemplation or study), which Aristotle views as the fullest realization of
human nature.

7. Virtue:

A stable disposition to act and feel according to a model of excellence; for Aristotle, a virtue (arete) is what enables a person to fulfill their function (ergon) and achieve eudaimonia (flourishing).

8. Virtue Ethics:

The view that morality is primarily about developing a virtuous character rather than following rules or maximizing consequences.