Ethics Test #1
What are the different types of justice?
1. Distributive - Distributed down from those who have authority. 2. Contributive - Contributed up to those who have authority 3. Commutative - Justice between people.
Describe the three types of friendship and their characteristics?
1. Friends of Utility - the motive of this friendship is usefulness - one gets something from the other (most present in old people and those who pursue utility). 2. Friends of Pleasure - the aim of this friendship is pleasure - to have fun, to find enjoyment (most common with youth). 3. Perfect Friendship (Friendship of the Good) - This is a true friendship of men who are good and alike in virtue. They are good to each other and good to themselves and therefore they are pleasant. This is a permanent friendship.
What is the tripartite division of the soul or person? How does this relate to the three types of lives?
1. Head - life of reflection/study (wisdom/prudence) 2. Chest - life of political activity (courage) 3. Belly - life of gratification (temperance)
Why do we say that Aristotle is a realist?
1. It is self-evident that there is a reality outside of our minds. 2. This reality is knowable. 3. It has a structure of its own. 4. It gives us feedback to let us know whether our efforts to KNOW IT are successful.
What are the three views of pleasure, according to Aristotle?
1. No pleasure is good 2. Some pleasures are good, but most are bad 3. Even if pleasure is A good, it is not THE good
How does Aristotle describe wittiness?
In terms of conversation or more specifically, speaking and listening. Wittiness is the virtue of conversation.
How does Aristotle describe the brave person?
A brave person becomes brave by doing brave acts. A brave person is one who endures danger with joy, or at least without pain. In other words: A brave person must properly exercise fear, not be too fearful or too reckless but afraid at the proper times and in the proper ways.
Why does Aristotle say self-love is important?
A good person who is self-loving will seek only what is best for himself which will be consistent for what is best for all. He will do unselfish acts because they are noble and are motivate by self love.
What are the three main types of lives that people live, according to Aristotle?
A life of gratification (pleasure, belly), a political life (honor, chest), and the life of reflection (wisdom, head). Examples: Money makers live a life of gratification, guardians/soldiers live a political life. Wise men/philosophers live a life of reflection.
What is the goal of the intellectual virtues?
Addressing the objectivity in ethics and ultimately knowing the truth.
Explain Means & Ends
All of our activities are aimed toward an end. However, most of these ends are means to other ends.
How does Aristotle describe friendliness?
In terms of social conduct. It is virtue in regards to social conduct.
How does Aristotle describe generosity?
Aristotle describes generosity in terms of giving and taking. It is the mean (virtue) in regards to giving and taking. Generosity is proportionate to wealth.
How does Aristotle describe mildness?
Aristotle describes mildness as the virtue of appropriate anger. The mild person will get angry when he should but not excessively and not contrary to reason.
How does Aristotle describe truthfulness?
Aristotle describes truthfulness through the activity of self-expression. The truthful man is straightforward, true both in word and in life.
How does Aristotle describe the importance of giving and receiving friendship?
Aristotle explains that in friendships based on virtue, quarrels do not arise because of giving and receiving because the focus is on intention. In friendships of utility or friendships where superiority is involved, each person gives and receives different kinds/amounts of things.
Why does Aristotle say that sometimes a friendship should be dissolved?
Aristotle says that friendships of utility and pleasure are easily dissolved because once it is not pleasurable or useful the motive of the friendship is dead.
How does Aristotle describe the feeling proper to bravery?
Bravery is the willingness to undergo pain to achieve a goal. It is the feeling proper to confidence and fear. A brave individual must properly exercise fear, not be too fearful or too reckless, but afraid at the proper times and in the proper ways.
How do we determine what proper pleasure is, according to Aristotle?
By knowing the proper function. In other words: Pleasure resides in the activity which is perfected by that pleasure. A pleasure which is proper to an activity makes the activity more precise, more enduring, and better. The pleasure proper to a good activity is good, while the pleasure proper to a bad activity is evil.
Why can children not be happy, according to Aristotle?
Children cannot be happy because they have not had a full life, life experiences, and do not engage in rational activity/thinking. In other words: Children do not have a complete life or complete virtue, both which are required for happiness.
How many friends are needed?
Depends on the individual.
How does Aristotle define happiness?
Eudaimonia. Having a good life; living well; a life of activity; something we pursue for its own sake.
What is the goal of every inquiry according to Aristotle?
Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good.
According to Aristotle, what is the relationship between pleasure and life?
Every good human life must have some pleasure. Pleasure is attached to activities which are good. In other words: Pleasure is something that brings a good experience. Pleasure is necessary but not a sufficient condition of happiness.
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of mildness?
Excess: Bitter, irritable Defect: Lack of spirit, timidity, wimp
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of truthfulness?
Excess: Boastful, wants a big reputation Defect: Self-deprecating, always belittling himself
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of friendliness?
Excess: Flatterer, too easy to get along with Defect: Surliness, too hard to get along with
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of courage?
Excess: Fool hardiness, rashness. Defect: Cowardliness
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of temperance?
Excess: Licentiousness, intemperance Defect: Insensible (don't find pleasure in anything)
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of magnanimity?
Excess: Vanity Defect: Little-souled, pusillanimous, improper humility
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of magnificence?
Excess: Vulgar, poor taste Defect: Stinginess
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of generosity?
Excess: Wasteful Defect: Miser, penny-pincher
How does Aristotle describe the excess and defect of wittiness?
Excess: buffoon (everything is a joke) Defect: Boor (nothing is funny)
What are the three divisions of the good, according to Aristotle?
External goods (car, stereo), goods of the soul (friendship, development of virtue) goods of the body (water, food).
How does Aristotle think that we will find the best good for a human being?
First must find the function of a human being - to live in accordance with the part of the soul that has reason. For each function there is exists a "best good" which is best achieved through its function performing with virtue. Happiness is the best good of a human being and can best be achieved when the human soul is actively expressing reason in accordance with virtue.
How does Aristotle think that one can't do injustice to oneself?
Injustice requires one person gaining at the expense of another. Therefore it is impossible to do injustice to oneself.
What is the most common type of friendship among young people?
Friends of pleasure - guided by feelings, passion.
What are some conflicts and problems that arise in different types of friendships?
Friendship of utility - the useful is always changing. Once one no longer finds the other useful, the friendship dissolves. This type of friendship is often based on profit and is full of complaints because each person is using the other and always want a bargain. Friendship of pleasure - this friendship is guided by emotion, and each person is focused on what they find pleasant. This also changes and eventually the friendship dissolves. Friendships based on superiority also result in differences for the better man always thinks he should get more, since more is assigned to the good man. The lesser (generally more useful) man believes he should get more because he is in need.
Explain Happiness
Happiness is a life of well-being; a life of activity; something we pursue for its own sake.
How does Aristotle deal with pleasure in Book I?
He says pleasure is a state of the soul and each man derives pleasure from what he is said to love. He says that in most men, pleasant acts conflict with each other because they are not pleasant by nature. However, those who love the noble have no further need for pleasure as an added attraction because their life contains pleasure within itself. EUDAIMONIA SHOULD BE PLEASANT.
What would happen to justice, if all people were friends?
If all people were friends, we would NOT have a need for justice.
Why do we need friends in all situations according to Aristotle?
In all situations friends are choice worthy. It seems they are the greatest of human goods. Such relationships are a human necessity.
Why do we study moral theory?
In order to help us live better lives.
Why does Aristotle say justice is the complete exercise of virtue?
It is complete because the individual exercises it in relation to another person (their neighbor) and not just himself.
How does Aristotle describe magnanimity?
Magnanimity is described in terms of honor and dishonor on a large scale. It is the feeling proper to honor and dishonor.
How does Aristotle describe magnificence?
Magnificence is a virtue in regards to giving and taking on a large scale.
Explain Convention
Man-made
How does Aristotle distinguish between natural justice and legal justice?
Natural justice - something rooted in ourselves as human beings (in accord to nature) Legal justice - something dependent on our societies (promoted by the law) Natural injustice - contrary to nature Legal injustice - illegal
What does Aristotle mean by natural justice?
Natural justice is the same in all times and places. It is, in a sense, comprised by the laws that order the universe and that order beings toward their ends.
What role does good or bad fortune play in happiness for Aristotle?
Small pieces of good or bad fortune will not affect happiness but a multitude of good fortunes will make life happier and a multitude of bad fortunes will maim happiness.
Why do we need friends, according to Aristotle?
No one would chose to live without friends since "man is a political creature and one whose nature is to live with others." Therefore, even the happy man lives with others and it is better to spend your days with friends rather than strangers - therefore even the happy man needs friends. Those in their prime need friends to do fine actions "for when two go together" they are more capable of understanding and acting.
What kind of practical syllogism does the weak person use?
Normally we reason somewhat as follows: Stealing is wrong, we know that it is wrong. The weak person believes that sometimes stealing could be OK if it could get them through a tight spot. The weak person reasons differently and rationalizes their decisions.
What makes a good judge according to Aristotle?
One who has been trained in it. A good judge in general is a man who has received an all-around schooling.
Explain Opinion
Our attempt to express the truth
How does Aristotle claim to correct Socrates?
Socrates was wrong in believing all virtues are forms of wisdom. The current definition of a virtue is includes that its characteristic is "guided by reason."
Explain Habit
Something that is second nature.
How does Aristotle describe the differences in pleasures found in various activities?
Pleasure is "an activity of the natural state." Every activity has a pleasure which is profitable to it. A proper pleasure corresponds to its activity. IT'S NEVER NECESSARY TO PURSUE PLEASURE FOR ITS OWN SAKE. PLEASURE IS ATTACHED TO OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WE NEED TO PURSUE.
How does prudence concern both universals and particulars?
Prudence is good judgement. In order for us to make a good judgment we must know something about the universal (stealing is wrong). Then we must understand the particular (this money belongs to someone else). By understanding the universal and the particular we are able to make good judgment and draw our conclusion that stealing is wrong.
Explain Final Cause
Sense of completion/fulfillment. The ultimate goal.
According to Aristotle, what is the good of each action or craft?
That, for the sake of which everything else is done. If there is an end for everything we do, this will be the good achievable by action.
Describe the three types of good political systems and the three types of deviant political systems.
The Good: 1. Kingship - THE BEST: This is a benevolent (good will toward others) dictatorship. The one who rules, does so by reason and can properly direct all good. The ruler looks for the good of everyone at the proper place and time. 2. Aristocracy - A group of the best who can rule by reason/character. They rule in the interest of others. 3. Timocracy - A group who rules by honor. A society based on property. The Deviant: 1. Democracy - Ruled by many. Aristotle believes there are too many people in the decision making process. 2. Oligarchy - Group of the worst who rule in their own self-interest. 3. Tyranny - THE WORST: This is a malevolent (bad will toward others) dictatorship. The one who rules looks to fill his appetites at every place and time.
What sorts of conditions resemble bravery to some degree?
The brave man is fearless in face of a noble death, and of all emergencies that involve death; and the emergencies of war are in the highest degree of this kind. Yet at sea also, and in disease, the brave man is fearless.
Explain "Mean"
The desirable middle ground between any two extremes. Virtue is a mean.
How does Aristotle describe the main challenge for the incontinent person?
The incontinent person has a struggle of conscience (reason and passion) but leans toward the vice (passion).
***What is temperance concerned with, according to Aristotle?***
The kind of pleasures that other animals share in; these are touch and taste. In other words: Temperance is the willingness to forgo pleasure to achieve a goal. It is the feeling proper to pleasure & pain.
***How does Aristotle describe bravery or courage?***
The mean between confidence and fear. A brave individual must properly exercise fear, not be too fearful or too reckless but afraid at the proper times in the proper ways.
***What things are properly feared according to Aristotle?***
Things that constitute a legitimate danger. Ex.) A lizard in your basement is not a proper fear. A dragon in your basement IS a proper fear.
How does Aristotle relate friendship and family?
Two things that contribute greatly to friendship are a common upbringing and similarity of age. This is why brothers love each other as friends.
How does Aristotle describe virtue in general?
Virtue is a characteristic involving choice. It is a mean relative to us. In other words: It is a mean between two extremes. It is a good moral habit.
What are the six conditions of character mentioned by Aristotle regarding continence?
Virtue/Vice, Moral Strength/Moral Weakness, Heroic Excellence/Brutishness
How does Aristotle explain that virtue is one?
We either have all virtue or we have no virtue. It is impossible to be called good without all the virtues.
Why is a youth not a suitable student of ethics according to Aristotle?
Youth lack experience necessary to understand ethics. Youth are motivated by pleasure, not reason (follow feelings over knowledge).
a. What is the difference between a real and an apparent good? b. What is the difference between an intrinsic and an instrumental good?
a. Real good - water, food Apparent good - that which seems good; looks good b. Intrinsic - that which is good in itself Instrumental good - that which is good only for its results
