Virtue Ethics - Aristotle

What is the ‘telos’ of humans?

Human’s telos is eudaimonia/flourishment through developing our virtues and moral character.

What is the ‘ergon’?

This is the function of humans to fulfil our purpose. Ration activity of the soul, thinking in accordance with reason.

What does the term ‘arete’ mean?

This is the virtue’s that make us use our ‘ergon’/function well.

What is the relationship between eudaimonia, ergon and arete?

Humans achieve their ultimate purpose of eudaimonia through performing their ergon with arete (function with virtue)

What is the goal for virtue ethics?

To develop ones virtues and moral character.

How can we develop our virtues?

Through practicing by doing virtuous acts.

What does the term ‘Phronimos’ mean?

A practical wisdom that only leaders posses. This allows leaders to make more morally complex decisions. The people being ruled can be moral by following what is deemed to be good by the leader.

What does the term ‘praxis’ mean?

The habit of repeatedly choosing virtuous actions using our reason.

What does Aristotle split the human soul into?

Non-rational → moral virtues such as courage, generosity and kindness

Rational → intellectual virtues such as curiosity and academic honesty.

What is the doctrine of the mean / the golden mean?

The concept that every characteristic can be in excess, moderation or deficiency. The golden mean is when the characteristic is in correct moderation and is a virtue.

For example:

Excess: rashness, Deficiency: cowardliness, Virtue: courage

Excess: prodigality, Deficiency: stinginess, Virtue: generosity

What did Nietzsche believe?

He challenged Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean by valuing pure strength and creativity over balance.

He believed there are no fixed virtues as they restrain individuality and create a herd mentality.

He believed in Ubermensch which replaced Aristotle’s phronimus as these supermen can create new virtues through self mastery.

What did Mclntyre believe?

He defended virtue ethics and rooted it in modern practices.

He believed that we have completely ‘lost our moral coherence’ after rejecting Aristotelean ethics.

What did Phillipa Foot believe?

She had a naturalistic basis, grounding virtues in human nature and valued our shared needs.

She believed virtue ethics are objectively good for human flourishment and that they align with our practical reason.

She tried to revive virtue ethics as an alternative to Kantianism or Utilitarianism.