Moral Character and Virtues in Aristotle's Ethics

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Questions and Answers

At what age do children typically start to think about respect for power and punishment?

16 years and older

5-10 years

1-5 years (correct)

8-16 years

What two distinct types of human excellences does Aristotle identify?

Excellences of thought and moral virtue

Excellences of thought and character (correct)

Excellences of action and thought

Excellences of virtue and morality

Stage 2 is characterized by children being considerate of others' rights.

False

Kohlberg's stages of moral development include a stage focused on avoiding punishment.

True Signup and view all the answers

What stage involves individuals deciding on basic moral principles to guide their life?

Stage 6 Signup and view all the answers

In Stage 3, individuals focus on being a 'Good Boy' or 'Nice Girl' to please __________.

important others Signup and view all the answers

Who further developed the theory of moral development based on Piaget's work?

Lawrence Kohlberg Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle's phrase for moral character is often translated as 'moral ________'.

virtue Signup and view all the answers

Match the stages with their key characteristics:

Stage 1 = Respect for power and punishment Stage 2 = Looking out for #1 Stage 3 = Being a 'Good Boy' or 'Nice Girl' Stage 4 = Law and order thinking Stage 5 = Justice through democracy Stage 6 = Deciding on basic moral principles Signup and view all the answers

In which stage do individuals begin to internalize society's rules?

Stage 4 Signup and view all the answers

Match each stage of Kohlberg's moral development with its description:

Stage 1 = Avoiding Punishment Stage 3 = Good Boy and Good Girl Attitude Stage 5 = Justice and Spirit of the Law Stage 6 = Universal Principle and Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What does Stage 4 of Kohlberg's theory emphasize?

Authority and social order Signup and view all the answers

Stage 5 is primarily concerned with self-interest.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Stage 5?

Justice through democracy Signup and view all the answers

The term 'êthikos' refers to the excellences of thought.

False Signup and view all the answers

In Stage 2 of Kohlberg's moral development, what determines right and wrong?

Self-interest Signup and view all the answers

Individuals in Stage 6 experience social control through __________ associated with conscience.

guilt Signup and view all the answers

Which stage represents a shift from self-focused to considering others' needs?

Stage 3 Signup and view all the answers

A quality of character that is a tendency to act in a specified way is known as a ________.

disposition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a stage in Kohlberg's moral development?

Postmodern Level Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moral Character and Virtues

The term "character" originates from the Greek word 'charakter'.
Aristotle, in Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, distinguishes between two human excellences: excellences of thought and excellences of character.
Excellences of character are referred to as "moral virtues" or "moral excellences."
The Greek word 'êthikos' (ethical) derives from 'êthos' (character), linking ethics to personal character.

The Circular Relation of Acts and Character

Defining which acts deserve moral praise or blame is challenging, according to Aristotle.

Moral Characters as Dispositions

Dispositions are qualities of character that include habits, preparations, and tendencies to act in specific ways, which can be learned.

Six Stages of Moral Development

Developed by Lawrence Kohlberg, building on Jean Piaget’s earlier work.
Kohlberg utilized moral dilemmas in storytelling to illustrate stages of moral reasoning.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Preconventional Level
- Stage 1: Avoiding punishment; right and wrong based on consequences.
- Stage 2: Aiming for rewards; decisions driven by self-interest.
Conventional Level
- Stage 3: Good Boy and Good Girl attitude; morality tied to approval from others.
- Stage 4: Loyalty to law and order; adherence to rules and duties.
Postconventional Level
- Stage 5: Justice and spirit of the law; laws viewed as social contracts, accommodating differing opinions.
- Stage 6: Universal principles and ethics; moral actions based on conscience, potentially at odds with societal norms.

Getting to the Highest Level, Conscience-Based Moral Decisions

Stage 1: Young children are motivated by a desire to avoid punishment.
Stage 2: Children focus on self-interest, serving their needs for mutual benefit.
Stage 3: Adolescents shift to pleasing significant others, prioritizing others' views.
Stage 4: Most individuals internalize societal rules around age 16 and older, adhering to law and order.
Stage 5: Understanding justice and the moral purposes behind laws supports democratic values.
Stage 6: Individuals establish personal moral principles, ensuring fairness in relationships while grappling with guilt and conscience.

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Description

Explore the concepts of moral character and virtues as discussed in Book II of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Delve into the distinctions between excellences of thought and character, and understand the Greek roots of these terms. This quiz will challenge your understanding of ethical virtues as defined by one of philosophy's greatest thinkers.