Ethics Exam 3- Section 2

Virtue and Forgiveness

aristotle’s view on happiness (eudaimonia)

the actualization of a complete life of virtue

aristotle’s view on virtue (arete)

a disposition to act and feel in ways that make one a good person

explain the aristotelian doctrine of the mean

every virtue is a mean between two extremes

use an example to illustrate the vices of deficiency, extremity, and the virtuous mean

if courage is the virtue it is the mean between the vice of deficiency of cowardice and the vice of excess of brashness

why does aristotle think external goods are required for a happy life

we need external goods in order to act virtuously

external good

goods whose possession is somewhat a matter of chance

forgiveness

a disposition to overcome vindictive emotions on the basis of moral reasons

the vice of deficiency to which forgiveness corresponds

hasty forgiveness

the vice of extremity to which forgiveness corresponds

vindictiveness

vindictive emotions

negative emotions felt towards those we believe have wronged us

give two examples of vindictive emotions

resentment, anger, hatred

explain why forgiveness involves moral reasons

a forgetful person is not a forgiving person

explain why forgiveness is distinct from reconciliation

it is possible to forgive while reasonably refusing to restore the relationship

reconciliation

the restoring of a relationship

explain why murphy thinks that vindictive emotions can be rational

they involve the belief that one has been wronged

3 reasons for retaining our vindictive emotions

self-respect, self-defense, the moral order

respecting the moral order

making sure other people are treated fairly

explain why the vindictive emotions are not always a source of pain/frustration

emotions involve dispositions to feel and not necessarily the feelings themselves

explain Murphy’s argument from condonation against unconditional forgiveness

it is wrong to provide unconditional forgiveness because condonation of a wrong involves participating in that wrong

unconditional forgiveness

forgiveness that is provided but not on the basis of a wrongdoer’s repentance

condonation

the overlooking of someone’s wrongdoing

why does Murphy think conditional forgiveness is still permissible

in repenting the wrongdoer has already communicated the seriousness of their wrong

describe the response to Murphy which says that unconditional forgiveness does not entail condonation. give an example

to forgive is to suggest that what a person did was wrong, the dinner party example