Unit 1 Test - Virtue Ethics (Review)

How is an action determined as virtuous? What mathematical term is used to understand what is a virtue?

An action is determined as virtuous if it is a good act/deed. If an end is virtuous, the the means are justified. A term used to describe virtue is "mean." Virtue is the "mean" between vices.

According to Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics, why is happiness the best end goal?

Aristotle believed happiness to be the best end goal because people find happiness through becoming a virtuous character and learning. Both of which he considers good characteristics.

What role does virtue play in achieving happiness?

Aristotle believes people should strive to find happiness in learning and learning is a virtue (nurture). The other is "nature", divinely given virtue/happiness

Which Greek philosopher said "no man steps into the same river twice, for fresh waters are ever upon him"? How does this relate to ethics?

Heraclitus. This relates to ethics because he is saying nothing stays the same, everything chances. There cannot be any absolute lws if nothing stays the same.

What view of reality says that there is one fixed answer to questions regardless of human opinion?

Objectivity

Briefly summarize Socrates' understanding of justice

Socrates viewed justice as a virtuous and valuable thing. He also discussed why some actions are just and why some are not

This kind of world view states that all truth is relative and that there is no one right answer. "What is good for you is good for you, and what is good for me is good for me."

Subjectivity

Nichomachean Ethics

Ta Ethika, is a work by Aristotle on virtue and moral character which plays a prominent role in defining Aristotelian ethics. It consists of ten books based on notes from his lectures at the Lyceum and were either edited by or dedicated to Aristotle's son, Nicomachus. Tells of the life of moderation that dictates reason for humans.

What are the four basic beliefs of antinomianism?

There are no objective moral laws, God - given mora laws, timeless moral laws and no laws against laws. In general, the basic belief of antinomianism is that there are no laws

WHo opposed Socrates in these dialogues and what was his position?

Thrasymachus, he believed that if lying benefited him, then injustice is beneficial. He believed justice was a vice and injustice a virtue

What are vices? How do they relate to virtues?

Vices are the excess or deficiency of virtue. They are the means between virtues

What ethical theory would we classify Aristotle's writings under?

Virtue Ethics

What is the difference between virtuous actions and a virtuous character?

Virtuous actions are actions that at are performed virtuously. According to Aristotle, hearing can be a virtuous action if it performs well, however if an ear could no longer hear, it would become a vice and its action no longer virtuous. A virtuous character does not have to perform an action well to be virtuous. However, they should strive to perform well. In the case of situationism, if their end or final action is virtuous, then their means are justified. A virtuous character performs good acts and deeds.

What was Socrates' question about in the excerpts from the republic that we read?

What is justice? Is justice a virtue or vice?

What question is the field of Ethics seeking to answer?

What is right/ wrong and do ends (results) of our actions justify our means

How is a state of virtuous character achieved according to Aristotle?

a virtuous character is achieved through habit and practice. "active virtue"

How has wisdom been traditionally defined?

act/love of living well

What does Geisler believe situationism reduce to?

antinomianism

Give 3 examples of virtues and their corresponding vices from Aristotle's readings.

honesty (virtue) ---- dishonesty/blunt (vice) courageous (virtue) --- coward/pride (vice) patience (virtue) --- impatient/easily angered/too patient (virtue)

What is the opposite of love?

indifference

What does antinomianism literally mean?

instead/against law

According to Aristotle, the soul is divided into 2 major parts, the rational and the _____________? Bonus: Name the three other sub-divisions and their proper virtues.

irrational (moral, appetitive, calculative)

What does Fletcher say is the one law for everything?

love

What does Philosophy mean?

love of knowledge/wisdom

What kind of love is Christian love? What kind of love is it not?

responsible, giving , sacrificial (not romantic/ friendship)