Aristotle – Virtue Theory

1. Aristotle – Virtue Theory • Starter – Disentanglement – identify the parts that are or might be Aristotilean. • Reading – Puzzle of Ethics p34-35 • Higher Reading – MacIntyre p94 • Bring this next lesson • LO s • To recap knowledge about the life and works of Aristotle • To explore his contribution to moral theories • To consider virtue theory including the notions of eudaimonia, moral and intellectual virtues

2. Aristotle • Disagreed with Plato’s Forms • Believed that you could acquire the ability to be moral. This acquisition of knowledge rather than innate knowledge is known as a posteriori.

3. Aristotle • Ethics is its own discipline • Practical application of reason • Humans are searching for highest good.

4. Eudaimonia • Highest good is Eudaimonia or happiness. • This is a good that is 1) Desirable for itself, 2) Not desirable for other Goods 3) The thing that gives meaning to all other virtues.

5. Eudaimonia • Everyone can reach this highest good, but it requires a good upbringing, good looks, wealth. • Both inclusive and elitist.

6. Virtue Theory • So how does one reach this? • Each circumstance is complicated and must be reasoned according to virtues. Aristotle says virtues in life are fairly obvious. He splits them into intellectual and moral.

7. Virtue Theory • These are all rough outlines to be filled in later. • Moral virtues are irrational and are acquired through habit. • Intellectual virtues are rational and Acquired through instruction.

8. Doctrine of Mean • To act morally, is to find the mean between deficiency and excess, which is where virtue lies. Reason helps this decision. • If you act virtuously you are moral. • Aristotle admits this is difficult. • He prescribes the virtues but not what to do in each situation. • All he says is virtue is kalon - beautiful.

9. Summary • Reason – developed. Can include emotions/feelings… • Eudaimonia • A posteriori • Inlcusive/elitist • Moral and Intellectual • Virtues • Mean is beautiful

10. Moral Virtues – Examples