As opposed to identifying a formula, Aristotle suggests that through practising and cultivating the virtues, we become virtuous by nature. We would simply know what to do in any situation
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Why is virtue ethics problematic when dealing with moral dilemmas?
It seems difficult to judge whether or not we are virtuous people, or if our intended actions are virtuous or not
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What does Michael Slote suggest we get virtues?
Through common-sense ideas and intuition?
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When might this be problematic?
With examples such as euthanasia, we can often have conflicting ideas, which both sides to the argument having valid points, and it being difficult to deduce what a virtuous person would do in that situation
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How many types of virtue did Aristotle believe us to have, and what are they?
Two types; intellectual virtue and moral virtue
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How do we develop intellectual virtue?
Through training and education
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How do we develop moral virtue?
By habit: "we acquire virtues by first doing virtuous acts", and compared it to learning how to play the harp
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Who is capable of being virtuous according to Aristotle?
All people are capable of being virtuous, but we have to practise being virtuous in order to fulfil this potential
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What is our ultimate "telos" (purpose) according to Aristotle?
Eudaimonia - human flourishing + the supreme good
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What is the supreme virtue?
Reason. Those who used reason well achieved eudaimonia
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What is reason is Aristotelean terms?
Both the ability to think and come to a moral judgement: you would use reason to judge something both in practical and moral terms
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What is the Golden Mean?
The idea that virtues lie in between two vices: the vice of excess + the vice of deficiency
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Is the balance of two vices to reach a virtue always the same?
No. It differs depending on the situation, and we ought to use "phronesis" (practical wisdom) to decide which is the most virtuous act
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Give an example of a virtue, and its two vices
Virtue: courage. Vice of deficiency: cowardice. Vice of excess: rashness
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What did Aristotle want us to move away from?
Move away from simply abiding by laws, and towards becoming an autonomous and virtuous person, who simply knows what the most virtuous course of action is in any situation
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Is virtue ethics agent or act centred? Give an Aristotle quote to support this
It is agent centred, meaning it is focused on the person: "We are not concerned to know what goodness is, but how to become good people"
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What is "Akrasya"?
The Greek term for weakness of the will. Aristotle said that we could train ourselves to diminish this
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What is the elephant analogy?
A rider can only control an elephant when it has nothing on its mind. Elephant is analogy for conscience. If you cultivate your conscience by doing good things, it is a lot easier to be a virtuous person
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What is the function of "phronesis" (practical wisdom)?
To develop "arete" (excellence or virtue)
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Why is Aristotle known as an essentialist?
Believed humanity has an essence of function
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What is humanity's function according to Aristotle?
To use reason in pursuit of the good life
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Why is virtue ethics problematic when dealing with moral dilemmas?
Back
It seems difficult to judge whether or not we are virtuous people, or if our intended actions are virtuous or not
Card 3
Front
What does Michael Slote suggest we get virtues?
Back
Card 4
Front
When might this be problematic?
Back
Card 5
Front
How many types of virtue did Aristotle believe us to have, and what are they?
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