Aristotle

- What is it for an action to be done in accord with virtue?

1) Know the action is virtuous 2) Choose the virtuous action, and choose it for its own sake 3) Make this choice out of a stable character

- What is the difference between a person who lacks self-restraint (an incontinent person) and a person who is vicious?

An incontinent person does wicked things but is not wicked, their actions come from an inability to do the right thing. Vicious people choose to do the wrong thing and are therefore wicked.

- According to Aristotle, what is the happiest life for a human being?

Aristotle argues that the happiest life is one philosophical study and contemplation over the course of a life-time and is the most pleasant (225P2). This activity engages the pleasures of thinking as different in kind, ("form") and of higher quality than the pleasures associated with carrying out activities of sense perception (220P2).

- How does Aristotle argue that happiness is the highest good for humans?

Aristotle argues that there is a best good that it is pursued for its own sake and not instrumentally for obtaining other goods. Aristotle argues that happiness meets these criteria because everyone ultimately responds to questions of why they engage in an activity by stating that they do it to attain happiness. He argues that this implies that happiness is therefore, an end of all human action that is not sought instrumentally for other goods.

- How does Aristotle account for people behaving incontinently (behaving without self restraint)?

Aristotle gives four reasons: 1. a person might be aware of the right choice and forget in the moment 2. a person might act

- What, according to Aristotle, is happiness?

Happiness is carrying out the human function well which is choosing actions that are virtuous over the course of a lifetime.

- How does Aristotle characterize the mean?

The mean is what prudence (practical reason) determines to be the virtuous mode of behavior between two extremes (excess and deficiency).

- What is Aristotle's definition of virtue?

Virtue is a disposition to behave in the right way, the right way being the mean between extremes.

- Explain the virtues of courage, moderation (temperance), and liberality.

Virtue of courage being the right amount of courageous

- How, according to Aristotle, are virtues acquired?

Virtues are acquired through being taught at a very young age and habit.

- What is the difference between a self-restrained (continent) person and a virtuous person?

a self-restrained person acts doing the right thing but does not get pleasure out of doing so. She simply does it because she knows it is the right thing to do. Virtuous people act because it is the right thing to do and they get pleasure out of doing it.

- What is the difference between a vicious person and a virtuous person?

a vicious person acts extremely and is not concerned with what is right.

- What, according to Aristotle, is prudence (practical wisdom), and how is it related to the mean?

prudence is what allows you to know where between the extremes the mean lies