Aristotle - VT

What is meant by eudaimonia?

The outcome of being virtuous

What can eudaimonia be incorporated in?

Wellbeing, peace, goodwill and physical wellbeing

What type of belief is eudaimonia?

Holistic meaning the end result means people can live together in harmony

What is Aristotles work grounded in?

Nicomachean ethics

What does Aristotles work show?

His teleological view of the world

How many aspects to happiness does Aristotle believe there is?

3

What does Aristotle believe the first aspect of happiness is?

Life of enjoyment

What does Aristotle believe the second aspect of happiness is?

A life with freedom

What does Aristotle believe the third aspect of happiness is?

Being a philosopher - a life of reflection and contemplation

What characteristic/virtue is the most important and helps maintain the aspects to happiness?

Wisdom

How many kinds of virtues does Aristotle believe there are?

2

What is the first type of virtue?

Moral virtue

What is moral virtue?

Acquired through practice and habit

What is an example of moral virtue?

Courage, generosity, friendliness and right ambition

What is the second type of virtue?

Intellectual virtue

What is intellectual virtue?

Developed through education

What is an example of intellectual virtue?

Intelligence, scientific knowledge and application, truthfulness and wisdom

What does Aristotle say about virtue?

“Virtue too is distinguished into kinds of accordance with this difference; some virtues are intellectual and others moral”

How are virtues learned?

Not easily and they are carefully cultivated

What analogy does Aristotle use to represent the development of virtues?

A artist sketch that gradually develops into a picture

What does Aristotle define virtues as?

The mean/midpoint between two vices of excess and deficiency

What is the doctrine of the mean (golden mean)?

The virtue that accompanies the two vices of excess and deficiency

What does Aristotle say about the vices of excess and deficiency?

“For both excess and insufficient exercise destroy one’s strength, whereas the right quantity produces, increases and preserves it”

How many types of people does Aristotles doctrine of the mean produce?

3

What is the first type of person Aristotles doctrine of the mean produce?

The Sophron

What is ‘The Sophron’?

A person that naturally lives in the mean without effort

What is the second type of person Aristotles doctrine of the mean produce?

The Enkrates

What is meant by ‘the Enkrates’?

A person that is tempted but has strong enough will power to live in the mean

What is the third type of person Aristotles doctrine of the mean produce?

The Akrates

What is meant by ‘the Akrates’?

A weak willed person who cannot live in the mean by overcoming temptation

Is the mean the same or different for everyone?

Different for everyone and depends on circumstance

What is phronesis?

Practical wisdom

Why must phronesis be applied?

To decide the right course of action and it is necessary to move away from rules and demands of authority figures meaning we become more autonomous and requires virtue-centred morality

What is an example of a virtue, excess vice and excess deficiency?

The virtue of courage is accompanied by the excess vice of rashness and deficiency vice of cowardice

How many key virtues are there?

4

What are the key virtues?

Temperance (moderation), courage, justice and wisdom (driving force)