aristotle key terms

virtue

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.

virtue ethics

The normative theory that starts from the question of what it is to be a good person, then derives an account morally right action as what a good person would do. Aristotle argues that a good person has the virtues, which enable them to achieve eudaimonia.

aristotle’s two types of good

1.Good on an individual sense e.g. our goals. By achieving our goal we add value to our lives

2.‘The ultimate good/supreme good’ which all humans are striving to reach.

summon bonum

The highest good which is valued above all goods.

disposition

not a one-off act

eudaimonia

The good for a human life e.g. ‘Happiness’, ‘living well and faring well’: flourishing. Eudaimonia is not a state of mind, but relates to the activity of living. It is not subjective, but objective. It is not easily changed, but relates to a life as a whole.

a eudaimonian life

External goods like freedom, safety, a home, warmth as well as goods internal to our selves or our souls.

5 criteria of the supreme good

1. end

2. final end

3. self-sufficient

4. a life we all want

5. relates to us as human beings

final end

an end we desire for its own sake, not for some further purpose

ergon

Something’s function or characteristic form of activity

example of ergon

a knife’s function is to cut

the function argument

analyse how to function well
good if recognised function and fulfilled it with appropriate aretes

a mean

part of some greater goal

an end

something you want for yourself/ the end goal

ethica arete

‘excellence in character’- describes a person who, because they react in the right way, demonstrate good trait

vice

a practice, behaviour or habit considered immoral, sinful or criminal

habituation

education through repetition. develops ethica arete

meaning of ethica arete

do good acts in a certain way, with a certain attitude, and having a certain history of similar acts behind you. enjoys and has a disposition to do virtuous acts

skill analogy

we all have the capacity to learn, but only some practice and develop the skill

doctrine of the mean

The desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.

practical wisdom

Practical wisdom is an intellectual virtue of reason. It is what allows us to work out what the correct amount of any given virtue is at any given time.

aristotle’s thoughts on the doctrine of the means

• sliding scale (determine virtues)

• striking balance

• middle ground not really middle

weakness of the doctrine of the means

• incredibly vague

• lacks clear guidance on how to act

strength of the doctrine of the mean

• recognises that developing emotional skill set leads to happiness

• improve reading situation, recognising impulsive pressure and acting appropriately

voluntary action

an act we choose. we know what we are doing, and we bring it about ourselves

involuntary action

either forced or done from ignorance. not culpable (especially if regret when the ignorance is removed)

Obj. no clear guidance

the doctrine of the mean is no practical help

‘too much’ is not a quantity

reply to no clear guidance

practical wisdom

the mean is where the person with practical wisdom judges it to be

criticism of practical wisdom

provides no guidance either

without it already, I cannot know a good act, so not everyone knows what is good to be able to habituate good acts

Obj. conflicts between virtues

virtues can conflict eg justice and mercy

REPLY practical wisdom, conflict is impossible

Obj. circularity

an act is virtuous is it would be done by a virtuous person, but a virtuous person is someone that does virtuous acts

neither are defined without the other

response to circularity

a virtuous person is not defined merely as someone who is disposed to virtuous acts (eudaimonia etc)