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What is essential for a person to become virtuous according to Aristotle?
What is essential for a person to become virtuous according to Aristotle?
How does Plato view the human soul in relation to a city-state?
How does Plato view the human soul in relation to a city-state?
What does Aristotle identify as the function of man?
What does Aristotle identify as the function of man?
What does Aristotle mean by ‘eudaimonia’?
What does Aristotle mean by ‘eudaimonia’?
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What can lead a person to act against the greater good, according to the text?
What can lead a person to act against the greater good, according to the text?
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What does Aristotle suggest is necessary for honesty?
What does Aristotle suggest is necessary for honesty?
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According to Plato, what must be held in check to achieve true nature?
According to Plato, what must be held in check to achieve true nature?
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What is the ultimate goal of life according to Plato's philosophy?
What is the ultimate goal of life according to Plato's philosophy?
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What does Plato suggest is the primary component for achieving a balanced soul?
What does Plato suggest is the primary component for achieving a balanced soul?
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Which part of the soul is associated with emotional and passionate desires?
Which part of the soul is associated with emotional and passionate desires?
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What role does reason play in Plato's concept of the soul?
What role does reason play in Plato's concept of the soul?
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Which of the following best defines the notion of social justice in Plato's philosophy?
Which of the following best defines the notion of social justice in Plato's philosophy?
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What is the Socratic imperative referenced in the content?
What is the Socratic imperative referenced in the content?
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Ambition and cravings for admiration fall under which aspect of the soul?
Ambition and cravings for admiration fall under which aspect of the soul?
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What is one of the consequences of not knowing one's best skill, according to Plato?
What is one of the consequences of not knowing one's best skill, according to Plato?
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How does Plato view the relationship between individual justice and social justice?
How does Plato view the relationship between individual justice and social justice?
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What is necessary for achieving full virtue according to the content?
What is necessary for achieving full virtue according to the content?
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Which of the following describes phronesis?
Which of the following describes phronesis?
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What does virtue ethics focus on developing?
What does virtue ethics focus on developing?
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Why might the virtuous act with awareness of consequences?
Why might the virtuous act with awareness of consequences?
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How can moral virtues be acquired according to the content?
How can moral virtues be acquired according to the content?
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What is a common criticism of virtue ethics?
What is a common criticism of virtue ethics?
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Which source does not contribute to the development of phronesis?
Which source does not contribute to the development of phronesis?
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What is meant by rational actions in virtue ethics?
What is meant by rational actions in virtue ethics?
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What is the role of the Philosopher-King in the social order described?
What is the role of the Philosopher-King in the social order described?
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According to Aristotle, how do moral virtues develop?
According to Aristotle, how do moral virtues develop?
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What does Virtue Ethics primarily focus on?
What does Virtue Ethics primarily focus on?
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What is meant by the 'mean' in Aristotle's Virtue Ethics?
What is meant by the 'mean' in Aristotle's Virtue Ethics?
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What happens if a person acts selfishly according to Aristotle?
What happens if a person acts selfishly according to Aristotle?
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In Aristotle's view, excellence is considered to be:
In Aristotle's view, excellence is considered to be:
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What is the ultimate goal of life according to Virtue Ethics?
What is the ultimate goal of life according to Virtue Ethics?
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What statement best aligns with Aristotle's philosophy on ethics?
What statement best aligns with Aristotle's philosophy on ethics?
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What is the first step towards achieving excellence in a habit?
What is the first step towards achieving excellence in a habit?
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What does possessing Agathos lead to in the context of virtue ethics?
What does possessing Agathos lead to in the context of virtue ethics?
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Which of the following is NOT classified as one of the four cardinal virtues?
Which of the following is NOT classified as one of the four cardinal virtues?
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Which concept describes the sum-total of one’s habits, tendencies, and well-being?
Which concept describes the sum-total of one’s habits, tendencies, and well-being?
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How is a virtue best described according to the content?
How is a virtue best described according to the content?
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What represents the highest state in the pathway of virtuous behavior?
What represents the highest state in the pathway of virtuous behavior?
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What distinguishes a virtue from merely being a habit?
What distinguishes a virtue from merely being a habit?
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According to the steps outlined, what is required to achieve excellence in tasks?
According to the steps outlined, what is required to achieve excellence in tasks?
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What is the main focus of Virtue Ethics?
What is the main focus of Virtue Ethics?
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According to Virtue Ethics, an action is right if it is what a virtuous agent would do in similar circumstances. What defines a virtuous agent?
According to Virtue Ethics, an action is right if it is what a virtuous agent would do in similar circumstances. What defines a virtuous agent?
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What does the term 'virtue' refer to in the context of Virtue Ethics?
What does the term 'virtue' refer to in the context of Virtue Ethics?
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Which philosopher is noted for the belief that 'Virtue is Knowledge'?
Which philosopher is noted for the belief that 'Virtue is Knowledge'?
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What are the two types of virtues discussed in the framework of Virtue Ethics?
What are the two types of virtues discussed in the framework of Virtue Ethics?
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What is necessary for a person to be considered virtuous according to Aristotle?
What is necessary for a person to be considered virtuous according to Aristotle?
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What did Plato emphasize regarding virtues?
What did Plato emphasize regarding virtues?
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What role do virtues play in Virtue Ethics?
What role do virtues play in Virtue Ethics?
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Study Notes
Virtue Ethics
- Virtue ethics focuses on character rather than actions.
- It asks what type of person should you be?
- Premise 1: A virtuous agent would act in similar circumstances.
- Premise 1a: A virtuous agent acts virtuously (possesses and exercises virtues).
- Premise 2: A virtue is a character trait humans need to flourish or live well.
- Aristotle identified intellectual and moral virtues.
- Intellectual virtues relate to the mind (understanding, reasoning, and judging).
- Moral virtues are learned through practice (e.g., honesty).
- Aristotle believed consistent effort and practice are vital for moral development.
Overview of Ethical Systems: Virtue Ethics
- Rather than focusing on actions, virtue ethics focuses on the character traits for a good life.
- Socrates believed virtue is knowledge (no one intentionally does wrong).
- Plato valued inner state and balance (reason, spirit and appetites).
- Virtues like temperance, courage, and justice are expressions of reason, spirit, and appetites that lead to a well-ordered life.
- Aristotle believed reason is man's core function, and virtue is excellence in reason.
Overview of Ethical Systems: Plato (427-347 B.C.)
- Plato thought natural desires were bad and needed reason to control them.
- He compared the soul to a city-state (ruler-guardians, guardians, and peasants).
- Four primary integrated virtues:
- Wisdom (reason)
- Courage (will)
- Temperance (desire)
- Justice (links the individual to society)
- The good life came from actualizing one's true nature and potentials.
Main Points to Know: Plato
- Plato's works are dialogues, not treatises.
- Socrates is central in Plato's philosophical positions.
- Plato's positions were presented through Socrates' teachings.
- Plato presents a teleological view of morality: fulfilling human function leads to a good life.
Main Points to Know: Plato (Soul)
- Plato divided the soul into three parts: appetitive, spirit, and reason.
- Appetitive: focused on basic desires (e.g. hunger, thirst).
- Spirit: driven by emotions (e.g. ambition, honor, glory).
- Reason: responsible for controlling appetites and spirit.
- Only reason provides for a virtuous life (it should rule the soul)
Main Points to Know: Plato
- Appetite (biological desires) can be greedy and depraved
- Reason is needed to control appetites
- A virtuous life involves order in the soul (appetites, spirit are under reason)
- To master these parts, education about what is good and just is essential
Main Points to Know: Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
- People aren't automatically virtuous, they need cultivation of moral goodness.
- Cultivate moral goodness with rigorous practice.
- Practice virtuous actions until they become habitual.
- Choosing to do good will create good habits.
What is Virtue Ethics?
- Virtue ethics emphasizes character development instead of defining goodness/rightness.
- Aristotle believed happiness is our highest goal (eudaimonia; human flourishing).
- We attain happiness by cultivating both intellectual and moral virtues.
- Virtues are habits cultivated through consistent and deliberate choices.
What is Virtue?
- A habit of excellence; a beneficial tendency
- A skill enabling a person to realize crucial potentials for flourishing.
- A disposition to think, feel, and act a certain way.
Closer Look at Virtue
- Character traits are multi-faceted.
- They involve not only actions but also emotions, choices, and sensibilities.
- Possessing a virtue isn't determined solely by a single action.
Three Central Themes
- Virtue (arete): A habit of excellent, beneficial tendency, enabling potential for flourishing.
- "Character" is the sum-total of one's habits and tendencies.
- Eudaimonia(Flourishing/Successful Living): Human flourishing & a good life
Practical Wisdom (Phronesis)
- A virtuous person does the right thing at the right time, in the right way, for the right reason, without conflicting desires.
- There is no rigid set of rules.
- Practical wisdom is the capacity to distinguish right and wrong.
A Character Trait (The Golden Mean)
- A virtue is a balance (golden mean) between deficiency and excess of a trait.
- Courage is between cowardice and recklessness.
- Moderation is essential across all aspects of life.
Virtue as a Mean
- Virtues are balanced states between extremes (excess and deficiency).
- They balance desires and judgments well.
- Practical wisdom (phronesis) aids in achieving this balance.
- This takes time and practice
Why does desire and judgment agree for the virtuous?
- The virtuous person's desires and judgments align.
- Choosing correctly involves weighing options, timing and understanding people.
- Practicing good habits will make good choices more natural and pleasing.
What does it take to be fully virtuous?
- Experience, understanding the consequences of actions, and the development of habits of choosing well.
- Following virtuous role models (mimicking), but it goes beyond following example
- External factors (good background, education) contribute.
3 Commonly Ascribed "Advantages" of Virtue Ethics
- Ethical behavior requires sensitivity to social and personal contexts.
- Rational actions are based on moderation, not rigid principles.
- Development of habits that promote human fulfillment.
Common Criticisms of Virtue Ethics
- There's no universally agreed-upon definition of virtue.
- Difficulty resolving moral conflicts.
- Self-centeredness (prioritizing agent's character).
- Imprecision in providing practical guidelines.
- Luck plays a role in developing moral character.
New Material
- Theistic Deontological Ethics with Natural Law Theory is the next topic.
- Thomas Aquinas' "four cardinal virtues" and Kant's secular deontological model will be discussed in future lectures.
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Description
This quiz explores the key concepts of virtue ethics, focusing on character traits necessary for a good life rather than specific actions. It examines the ideas of philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato, highlighting the importance of moral and intellectual virtues. Test your understanding of how these concepts influence ethical considerations.
