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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
end
final end
self-sufficient
a life we all want
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)