Aristotle's Causes, the Golden Mean, and Happiness

Flashcards covering Aristotle's four causes, the golden mean of moderation and its associated virtues and vices, and his philosophy on human reason, contemplation, and happiness.

According to Aristotle, what is the material cause of an object?

The material or physical substance out of which something is made, such as bronze for a statue or silver for a sausage.

How does Aristotle define the formal cause?

The form, shape, style, or pattern that the material takes.

What is the efficient cause in Aristotle's four causes?

The maker or agent from which the change or resting from change first begins.

What is the final cause according to Aristotle's framework?

The ultimate goal, end, or purpose of an object, person, or action.

In Aristotle's example of walking, what serves as the final cause?

Health.

How are the four causes applied to the human being in the lecture?

Material cause is flesh, bone, chromosomes, sperm, and egg; formal cause is male/female or young/old; efficient cause is mom and dad; final cause is our ultimate purpose in life.

Where does virtue lie in Aristotle's concept of the golden mean of moderation?

In the middle between the two extremes of excess (too much) and deficiency (too little).

Why is cowardice considered more opposed to courage than rashness is?

Cowardice is the defect or deficiency of courage, whereas rashness is an excess of courage.

According to Aristotle, what five conditions must be met to practice virtue correctly?

Engaging in the virtue to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time, with the right motive, and in the right way.

What are the deficiency and excess extremes for the virtue of courage?

Cowardice (deficiency) and rashness (excess).

What are the deficiency and excess extremes for temperance?

Insensible (deficiency) and self indulgent (excess).

In Aristotle's discussion of liberality, what are the two extreme faults?

Being mean or stingy (deficiency) and being prodigal (excess).

How is being 'prodigal' defined in relation to liberality?

Wasting or wildly spending money without proper moderation.

What are the deficiency and excess extremes for proper pride and truthfulness?

Unduly humble or mock modest (deficiency) and intimately vain or boastful (excess).

What extremes bound the virtue of good temper?

Not easily angry or insensitive to things (deficiency) and irascible or easily angry (excess).

What extremes surround ready wit and friendliness?

Lacking humor or being standoffish (deficiency) and being a buffoon or flatterer (excess).

What are the extreme faults associated with modesty?

Shameless (deficiency) and bashful (excess).

How does Aristotle define human beings in contrast to other animals?

Humans are rational animals whose defining characteristic is the gift of rational speech and thought rather than physical fighting.

Why does Aristotle regard contemplation as superior to other virtuous activities?

Contemplation can be practiced by a person on their own nature without requiring external contexts or other people.

What does Aristotle conclude is the highest object of contemplation and the key to human happiness?

God, because divine activity is contemplative, making knowledge of God the ultimate purpose and source of true happiness.