Aristotle

Question 1

Key concepts:

Answer 1

1. Eudaimonia
2. Flourishing
3. Main argument of Aristotle
4. Doctrine of the mean
5. Phronesis

Question 2

Eudaimonia

Answer 2

Eudaimonia is different from happiness (which is a state of mind). Eudaimonia means actively practicing and doing things well (excellence).

Question 3

Flourishing

Answer 3

Aristotle felt that we could promote human flourishing by striving for excellence.

Question 4

Aristotle’s argument

Answer 4

When faced with moral decisions, moral agents should take the course of action which will allow them to cultivate the virtues held by a good/excellent person. This means that the key question at the heart of virtue ethics is not “what to do?” But rather “who to be?” Or “how to be?”.

Question 5

Doctrine of the mean

Answer 5

He stated that virtuous actions and character traits could normally be found in the middle point between excessive and deficient character traits. Thus, he proposed that people could develop their knowledge of virtues through using a tool called the “doctrine of the mean” (the mean between two vices, one of excess and the other of deficiency). For example, Excess: Recklessness. Deficiency: Cowardice. Mean = Courage. Another example would be, Excess: Arrogance. Deficiency: Insecurity. Mean = Confidence.

Question 6

Phronesis

Answer 6

Aristotle argued that we can acquire these good virtues through practice and habit. Thus, he saw ethical knowledge as an example of “phronesis” (practical wisdom). The more we practice them, the easier we will find to activate them and to determine how to behave and lead a good life.