Lecture Notes on Aristotle and Kantian Ethics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Aristotle's virtue ethics and Kantian deontology, providing definitions and explanations for critical terms discussed in the lecture.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical theory that emphasizes the role of one's character and virtues in evaluating moral behavior.

Arete

Greek term meaning 'excellence' or 'virtue'; in virtue ethics, it refers to personal excellence.

The Function Argument

Aristotle's main argument for virtue ethics, stating that the goodness of a thing is determined by how well it fulfills its function.

Phronesis

application of wisdom to practical scenarios

Doctrine of the Mean

Aristotle’s principle that virtue lies between two extremes (excess and deficiency) of a trait.

Intellectual Virtues

Virtues acquired through study and intellectual effort.

Moral Virtues

Virtues developed through habit and practice, guiding actions.

Categorical Imperative

Kant's foundational principle stating that one should act only according to the maxim that they would want to become a universal law.

Deontology

An ethical theory that considers the morality of an action based on rules or duties rather than consequences.

Moral Luck

The concept that moral judgement can depend on factors outside a person's control.

Active Euthanasia

The intentional act of causing the death of a patient to relieve suffering.

Passive Euthanasia

Allowing a patient to die by withholding or withdrawing treatment.

Negative Duties

Duties to refrain from interfering with the rights of others.

Positive Duties

Duties to provide help or services to others.

Generosity

The quality of being kind and giving, balancing between excess and deficiency.

Courage

The ability to confront fear or adversity appropriately, balanced between foolhardiness and cowardice.

Doctrine of the Mean Argument

Aristotle's assertion that virtues exist as a mean between vices of excess and deficiency.

Virtuous Person

An individual who exhibits good character and acts according to moral virtues.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis)

The ability to make prudent decisions in real-life situations.

Altruism

The selfless concern for the well-being of others, which can manifest in excess or deficiency.

Intent

The purpose or goal behind an action, which Kant emphasizes in moral evaluation.

What is Aristotle’s position on teleology

Aristotle's position on teleology is that all actions and phenomena have a purpose or end goal (telos) that they aim to achieve. He believed that understanding this purpose is essential for determining the nature of things and guiding ethical behavior.

Irreducible Ends

goals or purposes that are pursued for their own sake (aka self-sufficient)

The _________ life is an example of an approach to the good life where the aim is an irreducible end

The Vulgar Life (aims for happiness)

The __________ life is an example of an approach to the good life where the aim is a reducible end

The Political Life (aims for honors)

The __________ life is, according to Plato, a good approach to the good life

The Contemplative Life (aims at a universal idea of the good)

What is Aristotle’s objection to Plato

Plato believes that we can only call substances good, but Aristotle believes we should be able to call substances, qualities, and relationships good

What is the human function and how does Aristotle extrapolate it?

Aristotle believes that to be a good human we must excel at being rational animals. He believes function lies in a thing’s essence, which he determines by identifying its genus and differentia. The human genus is animal, and what differentiates us from other animals is our rationality.

The two qualifications of being a good human

1) seeking happiness by pursuing a complete life via rational deliberation

2) meeting enough of our external needs to be good animals

Intellectual Excellence

virtues acquired through learning/teaching/study that are essential to make wise and rational decisions

Moral Excellence

Virtues are developed through habit and practice, enabling individuals to act in accordance with moral principles and cultivate good character.

What is the doctrine of the mean?

Aristotle’s theoretical concept which states that true

When is something good for Aristotle?

when it excels at its function

Moral exemplars

1) What would X do? (X = Ghandi, MLK, Jesus, etc.)

2) What would a Y person do? (Y = courageous, virtuous, good, etc.)

What is the most common objection to virtue ethics?

The duties (what you are morally obligated to do) are too vague and highly subjective

How does Julia Annas combat the “duties are too vague” objection to ethics?

She argues that every ethical theory has this issue

What is the Technical Manual Model of action-based ethics?

The utilization of a decision procedure to guide moral actions and choices.

How does Julia Annas combat the Technical Manual Model?

1) It implies that gifted teenagers could excel at ethics

2) You can master the manual without being “good” or virtuous

3) Is it morality if you’re simply doing what you’re told?

4) It seems to allow for inappropriate blame-shifting

T/F: Annas agrees with other virtue ethicists who posit you can utilize moral exemplars exclusively to reach a virtuous decision

False

What is the goal of Annas’ Developmental Account?

to be a virtuous person by doing the right action and using a developmental process to reach that decisions (ethics as a practical skill)

The master & apprentice model encourages what?

The development of your own understanding of ethics (promotes learning and independent thinking because my pursuit of the good life is not the same as someone else’s)

What does Kant say about rule vs law?

He considers both to be universally applicable, but he says laws a necessary/binding while rules are not.

Deontology

ethical ascription is determined by something intrinsic to the act itself (dependent on the rule/maxim you uphold)

Pure (Kant)

having no external content (a priori); independent of situation and experience (like math)

Practical (Kant)

Action guiding (I’m certain enough to act on it)

Duty (Kant)

a moral obligation to uphold the good will

How does Kant argue that intent is all the matters to ethics (aka circumstances are irrelevant)?

The Really Important Argument (TRIA)

According to Kant, why must morality be a priori and intention based?

TRIA showed that circumstances (aka facts about the world) are irrelevant and therefore ethics should be pure (aka not based on experience and a priori)

Mere conformity to the law

Doing the “right” thing out of self-interest rather than duty

For the sake of the law

Doing the right thing out of duty to the law, not self-interest

T/F: Moral Law and Categorical Imperative aren’t the same

False

Moral Law & Categorical Imperative

applies in all times, places, and situations; there can only be one

What is the purpose of Kant’s formulations?

to test you maxim to determine if it is consistent with the categorical imperative

Steps of the Formulation of Universal Law (FUL)

1) Identify maxim

2) universalize the rule into a law

3) Is it possible to will this state of affairs (imagine what the world would look lik)

4) Evaluate for contradictions (both willing and not willing this state of affairs)

T/F: FUL is an exception-detector

True

What are the steps to the Formulation of Humanity (FH)

1) Identify maxim

2) consider whether the humanity of all people involved is being respected

3) evaluate

Constitutive Circumstances

things you are born with that effect ethics (height, gender)

Antecedent Circumstances

something that happens prior to the action

Occurrent Circumstances

something that happens at the point of action

Consequential Circumstances

something that happens after the action