Unit 2 Test

What are the ethical implications for the law of habit?

-"They are numerous and momentous" -New habits are the best way to break unethical behaviors, make our nervous system our ally instead of our enemy

What are objections to the function argument considered in class?

-1st objection to second premise: There are things other than reason that set humans apart. For example, professional sports as a unique function or prostitution as a uniquely human activity -2nd objection to second premise: Not all humans reason, for example, newborn babies or individuals with severe mental disabilities

What kind of life is most supremely happy?

-A life that seeks the mean will be the most happy. -A life of contemplation/a life of reason best satisfies the characteristics of happiness.

What is the definition of virtue?

-A state of the soul that chooses the mean in accordance with practical wisdom (phronesis - practical virtue) -Virtue is a state of the soul that seeks the mean -A disposition to behave in the right manner and as a mean between extremes of deficiency and excess, which are vices

What is the difference between a voluntary and involuntary action?

-An action is involuntary when it is performed under compulsion and causes pain to the person acting/performed out of ignorance. -If a person is in control of their actions, the action is voluntary.

What are the 5 characteristics of happiness?

-Complete: it is the ultimate goal; you do not strive for anything else -Self-sufficient: once you have it, you do not need much else -End; desired for its own sake, not for anything else -Activity; it requires engagement, you need to be DOING something -Most choice-worthy: it is the best thing we can attain

What does James mean by, "We are spinning our own fates, good or evil, and never to be undone. Every smallest stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its never so little scar"?

-Every action impacts our habits and their formation slightly -It means you are in control of shaping your habits. Everything you do is sending a message to your body to shape a habit and that habit sticks with you. You can't just dismiss something because you want to do it--your body is forming habits all of the time. -Habits smooth out the energy of the world (like a flywheel in an engine).

How might Aristotle respond to these objections to the function argument?

-First objection: These objections, such as prostitution or professional activities, are distinctly human because they are rational activities -Second objection: They have the capacity and potential to reason, it is just not yet developed, or it is damaged -The function is the thing that it is uniquely designed for, the thing that it does best, thus human function is still rational activity

How is habit rooted in matter (according to William James)?

-Habit is related to the plasticity of organic material -Habits of particles can't change, but habits of a mass can (plasticity) -Once a current has gone down a path, it is easier to do it the next time around

How is virtue related to happiness?

-Happiness is exhibited not in how we are but in how we act. Virtue, by contrast, is a disposition, or hexis, meaning that it is a state of being and not an activity. -We cannot be happy without virtue, if a person is happy, they are excelling at virtue.

How would Aristotle distinguish between the moral and intellectual virtues?

-Moral virtues: non-rational, learned through habituation -Intellectual virtues: rational, learned through education, takes time and experience -We learn intellectual virtues by instruction, and we learn moral virtues by habit and constant practice. We are all born with the potential to be morally virtuous, but it is only by behaving in the right way that we train ourselves to. be virtuous. As a musician learns to play an instrument, we learn virtue by practicing, not by thinking about it.

Why is this distinction (between voluntary and involuntary actions) important for the study of ethics?

-The best measure of moral goodness is choice, because unlike actions, choices are always made voluntarily -Those of good character will always aim for the good. However, those who are not of good character may understand things incorrectly and may wish for only the apparent good -Ethics is about evaluating voluntary actions

What is the mean?

-The mean is an intermediate or midpoint between two extremes. It is different for every individual and is between too much/excess and too little/deficiency. Some actions (like murder) have no mean as these actions will always be wrong. -The practically wise person (virtue man) as a standard for seeking the mean

What is the objection to Aristotle's theory of virtue and happiness, and how does Aristotle respond?

-There is tension in Aristotle's theory because the definitions don't fit well together; how can they have both at the same time? -The objection model; arrows show that they filter into virtue then further filter into happiness But: -The mean is chosen with practical reason and is relative because it is a standard since we all share the same function

What are the virtues of ignorance?

-Virtues of ignorance are when people don't grasp the value of their own behaviors -Trust: ignorant of harm -Modest: of the value of your accomplishments -Blind-charity: of people's flaws -Forgiveness: of past transgression

What intellectual virtue most properly fulfills the human function?

-Wisdom is the most supreme virtue because it is non-deliberative and it aims at truths and connections. -This rational activity constitutes the good life/the most fulfilling activity for humans. -It involves a profound understanding of the eternal truths of the universe

What is Aristotle's function argument? (version 2)

1. If a thing has a function, then it's flourishing/excellence consists performing well. 2. The human function is reason. 3. Human function consists in a life of reason.

What is the mindlessness objection?

1. If an action is done from habit, then the action is performed mindlessly. 2. If an action is performed mindlessly, then it is not praiseworthy (or blameworthy). 3. Virtuous (or vicious) acts are done from habit. 4. Therefore, virtuous (vicious) acts are not praiseworthy (blameworthy).

What is Aristotle's function argument? (version 1)

1. If the function of man is an activity of the soul in accordance with rational principal, then human good is an activity of the soul in conformity with excellence. 2. The function of man is an activity of the soul in accordance with rational principle. 3. Human good is an activity of the soul in accordance with rational principle.

What is the conclusion of the the function argument?

Human function is a rational activity/a life of reason, thus our good is rational activity that is performed well which means it is performed in accordance with virtue.

What is distinctive about human habits?

Humans have knowledge/reason. Humans are capable of shaping their own system

What is the reason for thinking that modesty requires ignorance? What is the problem with this?

If you are ignorant about your own accomplishments/status, it would be natural to be modest about it. Problem: Acting virtuously requires good intention; you can be modest without being ignorant. If you are bound to people's shortcomings, then you could potentially put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Does relativity of the mean render happiness indefinite?

No; while the mean is relative, happiness is absolute (practical reason keeps it from being relative).

How is habit beneficial for a living organism?

Simplifies the effort necessary to complete an action, less fatigue, more accurate actions, can accomplish more, need less time to relearn activities once they are a habit

Why can't happiness consist solely in wealth, honor or pleasure?

These qualities do not seek the mean, they are in excess. Wealth is not a mean. Honor is not self-sufficient. Pleasure is not the most choice-worthy.

What is the best response to the mindlessness objection?

To premise #1: There are actions that can be done from habit that aren't completely mindless (ex) running into a burning building to save a child).

Why is happiness the highest good?

We choose happiness as an end sufficient in itself. Even intelligence and virtue are not good only in themselves, but good also because they make us happy.

What is happiness?

activity of the soul expressing complete virtue for a complete lifetime