16 Questions
According to Aristotle, what is the highest goal (telos) of human life?
Happiness (eudaimonia)
What kind of ethics is Thomas Aquinas associated with?
Natural Law Ethics
How does Aristotle differentiate between kinds of human virtue?
Moral and Intellectual Virtue
What kind of wisdom does Aristotle consider superior?
Philosophic wisdom (sophia)
What is 'Arete' according to Aristotle?
Virtue
Which philosopher's ethical theory is defined by the phrase 'Because it is my duty'?
Immanuel Kant
What does moral virtue involve?
Choosing between two extremes
What does prudence enable us to do, according to the text?
Form right judgments about actions
Which concept refers to the highest goal or purpose in Aristotle's ethical theory?
Telos
What constitutes the final happiness for Aristotle?
Perfect Good (God)
According to Aristotle, which type of virtue involves the excellent use of one's reason?
Intellectual virtue
How does Aristotle define moral virtue?
Being what one ought to be
Which of the following best describes philosophic wisdom according to Aristotle?
The life of contemplation
What term did Aristotle use to refer to virtue?
Arete
What are the two kinds of intellectual virtue Aristotle identified?
Philosophic wisdom and practical wisdom
What principle determines moral virtue according to Aristotle?
Rational principle
Study Notes
Virtue Ethics - Aristotle
- Eudaimonia (happiness) is the highest goal of human life, which is final, self-sufficient, and attainable in one's life.
- Human virtue is the excellent use of one's reason throughout one's life.
- There are two kinds of human virtue: moral virtue and intellectual virtue.
- Intellectual virtue refers to the faculty to which man is able to do what he ought to do.
- Intellectual virtue has two kinds: philosophic wisdom (sophia) and practical wisdom (phronesis).
- Philosophic wisdom, which consists in the life of contemplation, is superior to practical wisdom.
Moral Virtue
- Moral virtue is a state of character, concerned with a choice lying in a mean (mesotes), determined by the rational principle.
- Moral virtue is the habitual use of reason to choose the mean in actions and passions, between the two extremes/evils of excesses and deficiencies.
- Moral virtue is being able to be what one ought to be.
Cardinal Virtues
- Prudence: disposes us to form right judgments about what we must do or not do in all circumstances.
- Temperance: disposes us to control our desires and to use rightly the things which please our senses.
- Courage: disposes us to do what is good despite any difficulty.
- Justice: disposes us to give everyone what belongs to him.
Law
- There are three kinds of law: Eternal law, Natural law, and Positive law.
- Eternal law: made by God through his omnipotence for all things and promulgated by dispositions ordained to them.
- Natural law: the moral law made by God through his goodness for man as rational creatures and made known by human nature.
- Positive law: the civil law made by men in society through political legislation for themselves and promulgated by public pronouncements.
Virtue Ethics - Aristotle
- Eudaimonia (happiness) is the highest goal of human life, which is final, self-sufficient, and attainable in one's life.
- Human virtue is the excellent use of one's reason throughout one's life.
- There are two kinds of human virtue: moral virtue and intellectual virtue.
- Intellectual virtue refers to the faculty to which man is able to do what he ought to do.
- Intellectual virtue has two kinds: philosophic wisdom (sophia) and practical wisdom (phronesis).
- Philosophic wisdom, which consists in the life of contemplation, is superior to practical wisdom.
Moral Virtue
- Moral virtue is a state of character, concerned with a choice lying in a mean (mesotes), determined by the rational principle.
- Moral virtue is the habitual use of reason to choose the mean in actions and passions, between the two extremes/evils of excesses and deficiencies.
- Moral virtue is being able to be what one ought to be.
Cardinal Virtues
- Prudence: disposes us to form right judgments about what we must do or not do in all circumstances.
- Temperance: disposes us to control our desires and to use rightly the things which please our senses.
- Courage: disposes us to do what is good despite any difficulty.
- Justice: disposes us to give everyone what belongs to him.
Law
- There are three kinds of law: Eternal law, Natural law, and Positive law.
- Eternal law: made by God through his omnipotence for all things and promulgated by dispositions ordained to them.
- Natural law: the moral law made by God through his goodness for man as rational creatures and made known by human nature.
- Positive law: the civil law made by men in society through political legislation for themselves and promulgated by public pronouncements.
Explore the concepts of Eudaimonia, human virtue, and intellectual virtue in Aristotle's philosophy, including moral virtue, philosophic wisdom, and practical wisdom.
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