Chapter 2 and 3, Philosophy 2 Ethics

Rational part of the psyche, PRACTICAL.

---Practical You're reasoning for the situation, and habit alone will not tell you what to do. The ones that make your life, but cannot be based upon habits, tendencies. • It's a decision to do something when habits alone are not adequate, when you are faced with a unique situation and habits are not sufficient, practical. Good judgment and good sense

What is the key to a good life according to Aristotle?

-You want to have a good life; you need to cultivate good virtues, rational part of the psyche, practical and theoretical. -If you're virtuous, you're happy! According to Aristotle. -For every virtue, you can overdo and underdo it, seeking the virtuous, you can make bad choices instead of finding the balance, and with reason, because were rational animals. We're social animals.

Objections to Epicurus' Ethics

1. Does it seem correct that Epicurus includes the "absence of pain" as a part of his definition of pleasure? We can have a state of no pain, but this does not seem to be something we would count as pleasure. There seems to be a middle area between extremes that is neither pleasure nor pain, yet Epicurus places this area under the category of pleasure. 2. Epicurus's theory causes us to eschew pleasures such as the thrill of achievement, or the satisfaction of having overcome a great difficulty-and many humans believe that these are meaningful pleasures, not vain. 3. Epicurus teaches a philosophy of avoidance. Perhaps a better life is possible if one strives for full participation in the political life, if one takes social and political risks. 4. Where do the pleasures of others fit into this system? If we seek to maximize our own pleasures, what keeps us from treating others badly except for friendship and a pledge of justice?

Objections to Aristotle's Ethics

1. Does pleasure merely contribute to the happy life or might it be the very essence of happiness? 2. The claim that rationality is the distinctive mark of a human being, but we know chimps can reason, can solve problems, use tools and are curious and enjoy satisfying their curiosity. This would be referred to as practical reason and curiosity is theoretical reason, so one could argue that reason is not unique to humans. 3. Is the golden mean really a moral guide? Golden mean can be used for example with bank robbers, trying to blow up the vault at the "right time." Or if a serial murderer uses the golden mean to commit his acts of treachery at the right moment.

Natural desires

1. Necessary o Injury, pain or death if these types of desires are not fulfilled (e.g. food!) o Another example, protection from the cold weather or from the heat. o Friendship, bed, pajamas, warm clothes. 2. Not necessary o Fulfilling our natural desires, but extravagantly. (e.g. drinking an expensive bottle of champagne to fulfill thirst.) o Going to bed in a very lavish bed. o Enjoy these as long as it does not cause misery. o If you could afford it and it will not mess up your life, do it!

Atomism of Democritus

An atomistic view is a materialistic view. For the Greek philosopher Democritus, it meant that the only thing that is real is atoms or the empty space between atoms. All things in the world are collections of constantly moving atoms, hooking together temporarily and then coming apart.

Happiness

Aristotle defines happiness as the exercise of reason in accordance with virtue (excellence of function). The highest form of human happiness comes from exercising reason in its most abstract form, contemplation.

Contemplation

Contemplation refers to rationally thinking about the first principles of things, the fundamental laws of nature.

Epicureanism

Epicureanism is the hedonistic philosophy of Epicurus (341-270 B.C.E.) that stresses science, serenity, and friendship as the keys to pleasure, happiness, and the good life.

Psychological hedonism

Everyone will seek to maximize his or her own pleasure.

What are causes of unhappiness according to Epicurus?

Fear and uncontrolled desires. If you can eliminate inappropriate and unnecessary fears and bring desires under control, you can bring about what Epicurus refers to as "blessedness of understanding."

Hedonism

Hedonism is the general name for any position that holds that what is intrinsically desirable in human life is pleasure. Pleasure is the standard we use to measure how valuable other things are in our lives. Pleasure is the highest good for a human being. Clearly, an ethical hedonism is a teleological (or consequentialist) theory, because if the consequences of a choice produce pleasure, then the choice is right.

Intellectual virtues

Intellectual virtues are those we are taught as concepts, and they respond to reason, they also require experience and maturity. The contemplation of theoretical truths and the discovery of rational principles that ought to control everyday actions give rise to the intellectual virtues. 1. Practical wisdom You're reasoning for the situation, and habit alone will not tell you what to do. The ones that make your life, but cannot be based upon habits, tendencies. • It's a decision to do something when habits alone are not adequate, when you are faced with a unique situation and habits are not sufficient, practical. Good judgment and good sense 2. Philosophical/Theoretical wisdom It's about abstract truth. Trying to understand the nature of the universe we live in. The desire to find out how the universe works, the nature of reality, the desire to find out about "first principles" (principles that discuss laws of nature, what is gravity? How does nature work? Figuring out how the universe works!)

Irrational part

Irrational part - contains the appetite (desire and will) and nutritive (nutrition, growth, having enough of what we need). Desiderative/appetite side helps us to distinguish between needs and wants. Vegetative/nutritive side is concerned with basic needs that keep us alive and is effectively our survival instincts.

Reason is used a lot with Aristotle, why be rational (reason)?

It is the key to happiness. Because it is the highest level of function, reason! We use reason in practical wisdom, for contemplation, for happiness! Morality and virtue character is key to happy life, eudaimonia. You need to use reason when it comes to pleasure, you cannot blindly go into pleasure.

What is Epicurus' idea of Justice virtue?

Justice is also a virtue, but different than Plato's according to Epicurus • You live in a community and justice is a pledge and you say to your neighbors, if they are in danger, you will come to their aid, and when I am in danger, you will come to my aid. • Depends on what you can afford and if it is doable. • So if you want a good life, small community of friends, and you get friendship out of this.

What is a key to good life?

Life of virtue! You need reason to find the golden mean, and moral virtues are non-rational

Moral virtues

Moral virtues are those we do out of habit because we have been trained to behave this way; habitual choices of action in accord with rational principles.

Moral virtues

Moral virtues do not belong to reason. They are dispositions or habits to act rightly, and a disposition is formed by a continuous series of right actions. Moral virtues must be formed by training and by habit. Moral virtues are not implanted by nature nor are they against nature. • Virtues are what you acquired, your parents, grandparents, they are the ones that gave you habits • They did not teach you ethics when you were told not to take the cookie from the cookie jar. Only that you were not supposed to do that. • Moral virtues come from action • You are not born with good habits; you are trained with good habits. • Virtue is a state of character concerned with choice, lying in a golden mean (moderation in all things). Depends on the individual and the situation. • Morality is finding that golden mean, from too much or not enough. You find it by using reason.

What are two types of desire?

Natural and Vain desires.

Rational part of the psyche, THEORETICAL

Philosophical/Theoretical It's about abstract truth. Trying to understand the nature of the universe we live in. The desire to find out how the universe works, the nature of reality, the desire to find out about "first principles" (principles that discuss laws of nature, what is gravity? How does nature work? Figuring out how the universe works!)

What is the key to a good life according to Epicurus?

Pleasure! And reason to pleasure! And pleasure is satisfaction to desire. Two types of desire, natural and vain desires.

Practical wisdom

Practical wisdom is a rational guide to everyday life choices; intelligent conduct. It also refers to finding the golden mean in every practical situation.

What is Epicurus' idea of Prudence virtue?

Prudence (being careful) is the important virtue for Epicurus • Governs his or herself with reason, shrewd or careful with affairs and has good judgment and cautious when it comes to risk. • Prudence will bring you a good life, a prudent person knows that good things are easy to obtain, makes wise decisions. Most of us spend more than we make, spend more than we need. • If you want a good life, you need a community of friends, and has to be good friends and not just one friend.

What is the unique function of the human being?

Rational (where happiness and virtue comes in), learning to reason well is key to eudaimonia and to live a well-lived life. Non-rational (the animal side, that only deals with pleasure) Enjoy living with pleasure with food and riches (non-rational), but key to genuine happiness is reason, RATIONALITY, the capacity for good thinking. The psyche is not something you have, it is movement of the body, said Aristotle. And moving with your own power depends if you are rational or non-rational.

Rational part

Rational part - contains the calculative/deliberative reason and the pure abstract reason. Calculative side does what it says; it calculates. It weighs up knowledge and helps us arrive at decisions. Scientific/pure abstract side holds types of knowledge that are factual and not up for debate (a priori knowledge).

Rational and Irrational parts

Rational part - contains the calculative/deliberative reason and the pure abstract reason. Calculative side does what it says; it calculates. It weighs up knowledge and helps us arrive at decisions. Scientific/pure abstract side holds types of knowledge that are factual and not up for debate (a priori knowledge). Irrational part - contains the appetite (desire and will) and nutritive (nutrition, growth, having enough of what we need). Desiderative/appetite side helps us to distinguish between needs and wants. Vegetative/nutritive side is concerned with basic needs that keep us alive and is effectively our survival instincts.

The unmoved mover

That is the God for Aristotle. There is no physical body, no emotions.

Ataraxia

The Greek term ataraxia means peace of mind, serenity, calm, repose, mental peace. For Epicurus, ataraxia is freedom from trouble in the mind and freedom from pain in the body.

Lyceum

The Lyceum was the educational institution founded by Aristotle.

Egoistic hedonism

The claim that the highest good for a human being is whatever produces the maximum amount of pleasure for that person is called egoistic hedonism.

Eudaimonia

The goal of Aristotle's philosophy is eudaimonia. Translated as well-being, or happiness, it is the result of fulfilling one's function well or with excellence something like flourishing.

Golden mean

The golden mean is the balance point between excess and deficiency, which marks the place of human excellence, which is virtue.

Deism

The view that there is a being that put everything into order but does not care about us. Did not make the world for human beings, does not answer prayers, doesn't perform miracles, does not engage in the world. It is like God is the absentee landlord, doesn't take care of maintenance or the cockroaches or leaks.

Intellectual virtues

These are virtues that we learn and do because we intellectually understand their need. They include philosophical wisdom and practical wisdom.

Philosophical wisdom

This wisdom means to discover truth and attain knowledge of fixed principles. It is achieved with contemplation.

What are two virtues Epicurus emphasizes?

Virtue is the key to a good life, prudence and justice.

Virtue

Virtue is the quality of performing an assigned function with excellence; the virtue of exercise is that it makes you healthy. For humans, virtues are dispositions or habits to do things in a certain way, that is, using reason to find the golden mean.

Key to Aristotle, Plato and Socrates?

Virtue!

Aristotle asks when are we responsible?

Voluntary Actions - you chose to do it. Something you rationally thought out to do. That's what makes it voluntary, because you are responsible for that action. Involuntary Actions - you didn't choose to do it. Some element outside of our own choice is making us behave a certain way.

Democratus

Who came up with democracy.

Irrational fears

Worrying that lighting is going to hit us when it rains and when we walk outside, or that there is a lion in the hallway and have to be careful when I enter the hallways. Philosophy is how we rid of irrational fears.

Voluntary Actions

You chose to do it. Something you rationally thought out to do. That's what makes it voluntary, because you are responsible for that action.

Involuntary Actions

You didn't choose to do it. Some element outside of our own choice is making us behave a certain way.

What can mess up peace of mind according to Epicurus?

• Irrational beliefs (superstitions) • Our culture (Greek culture) and religion has taught superstitious beliefs. • Says to study science and nature and not rely on superstitious beliefs.

Three different types of Hedonism

• Psychological hedonism - everyone will seek to maximize his or her own pleasure. • Egoistic hedonism - The claim that the highest good for a human being is whatever produces the maximum amount of pleasure for that person is called egoistic hedonism. • Impersonal hedonism (won't be on test)

Vain desires

• These are unlimited desires, you just get more and more and more. • Desire for wealth, desires that are not easy to satisfy. • Fame! • Desires that have no stopping place, takes a lot of energy.