PHILOS 2YY3 Chapter Notes - Chapter Virtue Ethics: Virtue Ethics, Eudaimonia, Final Good
3 Apr 2018
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Reading 17 – Aristotle “Virtue Ethics”
Overview:
- Says that virtues are simply those characteristics that enable individuals to live well in
communities
- To achieve a state of well-being (Eudaimonia), both proper social institutions and good
character are required
o A considers ethics to be a branch of politics
- Holds that moral virtues are different from intellectual ones:
o Whereas intellectual virtues may be taught directly, moral ones must be libed in
order to be learned
- By living well, we acquire the right habits
o These habits = virtues
- The morally virtuous life = a state intermediated between two extremes in which we
make wise decisions
Aristotle on Neochomyan ethics:
- Aristotle was a student of Plato
o One of the most important philosophers in the philosophical tradition
Aristotle’s question: How can a person lead a virtuous life? : “Virtue ethics”
- Reason is what distinguishes us from animals
- Virtues include…
1. Moral virtues (ie strength)
2. Intellectual virtues (ie maturity)
- We learn these virtues through our habits
Aristotle’s question: What is the chief human good?
- Everything aims at some good but there is a problem: What about the possibility of evil
ends?
- “Eudaimonia” = Greek word translated for “happiness” or “excellence”
o it is NOT MEAN happiness it is objective and the same for everyone
- happiness = a personal thing
o it is the highest good because it is an end in itself
- thus, the chief good must NOT be the sake for something else
o it must be final
good corresponds to ends:
- every action seems to aim at some good
- the good then = that at which everything aims
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Document Summary
Says that virtues are simply those characteristics that enable individuals to live well in communities. To achieve a state of well-being (eudaimonia), both proper social institutions and good character are required: a considers ethics to be a branch of politics. Holds that moral virtues are different from intellectual ones: whereas intellectual virtues may be taught directly, moral ones must be libed in order to be learned. By living well, we acquire the right habits: these habits = virtues. The morally virtuous life = a state intermediated between two extremes in which we make wise decisions. Aristotle was a student of plato: one of the most important philosophers in the philosophical tradition. Reason is what distinguishes us from animals. Virtues include : moral virtues (ie strength, intellectual virtues (ie maturity) We learn these virtues through our habits. Eudaimonia = greek word translated for happiness or excellence it is not mean happiness it is objective and the same for everyone.
