PHIL

• What is the primary focus of virtue ethics according to Aristotle?

  Practicing virtues and finding a balance (the "Golden Mean")
• What does Aristotle mean by the "Golden Mean"?

  A balance between extremes of behavior
• What is the ultimate goal of life according to Aristotle?

  Eudaimonia (happiness through rational living)
• What is a virtue in the context of virtue ethics?

  A disposition or character trait possessed by good people
• What is a vice in the context of virtue ethics?

  A disposition or character trait possessed by bad people
• What does it mean for virtue ethics to be holistic?

  It considers the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person
• What is eudaimonia in Aristotle's ethics?

  Human flourishing through excellent character and virtuous actions

  
• Why is practical wisdom important in virtue ethics?

  It helps in making real-life decisions
• What is the Doctrine of the Mean?

  Virtues are found in moderation between extremes
• How does Aristotle view the concept of clashing duties?

  The mean can still be an extreme in certain situations
• What is a criticism of Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean?

  It is subjective and vague
• How does Hume define virtues?

  As character traits that evoke emotional responses of usefulness and agreeability
• What is the Function Argument in Aristotle's ethics?

  To be good is to fulfill your function well
• What are the criteria for a final end according to Aristotle?

  It must be an end in itself, self-sufficient, and most desirable
• What is the relationship between virtues and eudaimonia?

  Only virtuous people can achieve eudaimonia
• How does one learn to be virtuous according to Aristotle?

  Through education, practice, and habituation
• What is phronesis in Aristotle's ethics?

  An intellectual virtue that helps acquire moral virtues
• What are dispositions of character in virtue ethics?

  Dispositions to act and feel in certain ways
• What is a voluntary action in Aristotle's ethics?

  Actions chosen on the basis of deliberation
• What is an involuntary action in Aristotle's ethics?

  Actions compelled by force or ignorance
• What is a non-voluntary action in Aristotle's ethics?

  Actions done out of ignorance
• What is deliberation in Aristotle's ethics?

  Reasoned thought about what we can change by our efforts
• What is the relationship between individual good and moral good in Aristotle's ethics?

  Individual good aims for personal goals, moral good aims for utility
• What are the key aspects of Aristotle's virtue ethics?

  • Focus on character and moral growth
  • Importance of practical wisdom
  • Aim for human flourishing (eudaimonia)
  • Adaptability and context-sensitivity
  • Promotion of community and social harmony
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean?

  Strengths:

  • Promotes balance and moderation
  • Adaptable to different contexts
  • Encourages moral growth

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Subjective and vague
  • Culturally specific
  • Difficult to apply in extreme situations
• What are the steps to becoming virtuous according to Aristotle?

  1. Education: Learn how to be virtuous
  2. Practice: Practice virtuous actions
  3. Habituation: Repeat virtuous actions until they become habits
• How does Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia differ from other candidates like pleasure, wealth, and honor?

  • Pleasure: Only for animals, not humans
  • Wealth: A means to an end, not an end in itself
  • Honor: Dependent on others, not self-sufficient
  • Eudaimonia: A balanced, self-sufficient state of flourishing

  
• What is the role of phronesis in acquiring moral virtues?

  • Phronesis is an intellectual virtue
  • It helps in finding the mean between extremes
  • It aids in rational decision-making for moral actions
• What are the different types of actions according to Aristotle?

  • Voluntary: Chosen through deliberation
  • Involuntary: Compelled by force or ignorance
  • Non-voluntary: Done out of ignorance
• What is the Function Argument in Aristotle's ethics?

  • To be good is to fulfill your function well
  • Example: A pencil sharpener is good if it sharpens pencils well
  • Applies to humans in achieving eudaimonia
• What are the criteria for a final end according to Aristotle?

  • Must be an end in itself
  • Must be self-sufficient
  • Must be the most desirable thing
  • Must be intimately related to us as human beings
• What is the relationship between virtues and eudaimonia?

  • Only virtuous people can achieve eudaimonia
  • Virtues are necessary for human flourishing
  • Eudaimonia requires virtues in both intentions and actions
• How does Aristotle view the concept of clashing duties?

  • The mean can still be an extreme in certain situations
  • Example: A deficiency of honesty in the axe murderer situation
  • Aristotle places no virtues in hierarchies but considers murder always wrong
• What is the role of deliberation in Aristotle's ethics?

  • Deliberation is reasoned thought about what we can change by our efforts
  • It helps in making voluntary actions
  • It is essential for moral decision-making
• What is the relationship between individual good and moral good in Aristotle's ethics?

  • Individual good: Aiming for personal goals
  • Moral good: Aiming for utility and the common good
  • Both are interconnected but serve different purposes
• What are the key aspects of Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia?

  • Human flourishing through excellent character
  • Virtuous qualities in both intentions and actions
  • Balance and moderation in all aspects of life

  
• How does Aristotle's virtue ethics promote community and social harmony?

  • Encourages virtues that benefit the community
  • Promotes balance and moderation in social interactions
  • Aims for the common good through individual moral growth
• What is the role of habituation in becoming virtuous?

  • Habituation involves repeating virtuous actions until they become habits
  • It is essential for developing moral character
  • It transforms potential virtues into actual virtues
• What are the key differences between voluntary, involuntary, and non-voluntary actions?

  • Voluntary: Chosen through deliberation
  • Involuntary: Compelled by force or ignorance
  • Non-voluntary: Done out of ignorance, but not compelled
• What is the significance of the Golden Mean in Aristotle's ethics?

  • It represents the balance between extremes of behavior
  • It is essential for achieving virtues
  • It promotes moderation and rational living