Aristotle: Life, Virtue Ethics, and Teleology (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Aristotle, Plato, virtue ethics, and teleology.

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher (384–322 BCE) who founded the Lyceum, studied under Plato, tutored Alexander the Great, and developed Virtue Ethics.

Lyceum

Aristotle's school in Athens where he taught and walked; its discussions gave rise to the label Peripatetics.

Peripatetics

Students of Aristotle who walked as they discussed philosophy at the Lyceum.

Nicomachus

Aristotle's son; the Nicomachean Ethics is named after him.

Pythias

Niece/adopted daughter of Hermeias; Aristotle's wife; mother of his daughter.

Herpyllis

Aristotle's fiancée after Pythias' death; mother of Nicomachus.

Allegory of the Cave

Plato's story illustrating the difference between perceived shadows and true reality; ascent reveals truth, others resist.

World of Idea

Plato's realm of eternal, perfect forms—the real, archetypal reality.

World of Matter

Plato's realm of changing, imperfect appearances—the non-archetypal world we inhabit.

Arete

Greek idea of virtue or a good operative habit; doing what is fitting and excellent.

Moral Arete

Arete expressed in moral action: determining the good and habitually willing it while managing feelings.

Intellectual Arete

Arete in cognitive faculties: ratio, phronesis, and sophia.

Ratio

Reason; the power to know the truth.

Phronesis

Practical wisdom; the ability to discern the right thing to do in a specific situation.

Sophia

Theoretical wisdom; natural grasp of moral principles.

Ergon

Greek for activity or work; the dynamic expression through which a being fulfills its nature.

Eudaimonia

The good that makes the gods happy; Aristotle's term for genuine happiness or flourishing through virtuous living.

Telos

End or purpose toward which an action is oriented.

Teleology

Study of purpose or ends; explains actions as directed toward a goal.

Mesotes

Greek word for the mean or middle ground between deficiency and excess.

Golden Mean

The virtuous mean between deficiency and excess; right action lies at the mesotes.