Aristotle, Virtue Ethics origins, St Ambrose, St Thomas Aquinas

Virtue Ethics focuses on being, not d…

doing

Virtue Ethics is not like deontological and teleological theories. Explain these:

• Deontological - “Duty/Purpose” in Greek.

• Teleological - “Teleos” - end/purpose in Greek.

Aristotle studied under who from the age of 18 for 20 years?

Plato

Aristotle later set up his own school of philosophy in Athens, what did he call it?

The Lyceum

A collection of his writings into one volume was entitled ?

What did it seek to try to explain ?

Nicomachean Ethics

The overall goal of human life.

Aristotle believed that the highest goal we seek for should be the “S…G”.

And when we seek for this we will achieve the highest state of human flourishing called “e…” in Greek.

Supreme Good

Eudaimonia

Aristotle also believed the importance of human f… were paramount for virtue development?

friendships

Aristotle went on to say that “the friendship of worthless people has …”

“a bad effect”

Aristotle divides virtues into 2 distinct groups, what are they?

Moral and Intellectual

What 2 other ways did Aristotle say you can form moral virtues from?

• Habit

• Role models

Aristotle believed that moral virtue lies between 2 v…

They are ?

vices

excess and deficiency

Explain the “Golden Mean”

The perfect balance of having too much or too little of a virtue/trait.

How many intellectual virtues did Aristotle come up with?

He divided them into 2 groups, what were they? How many of each?

9

5 Primary and 4 Secondary intellectual virtues

Aristotle held the view that the “greatest virtues are those which are most …”

“useful to other persons.”

What Catholic doctor of the Church added another list of virtues in the 4th century?

• St Ambrose

• the “Theological virtues”

St Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) added the 4 cardinal virtues what are they?

• justice

• prudence

• temperance

• fortitude

The Latin word “Cardo”, means what in English?

Thus, the Cardinal virtues … on morality.

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