Aristotelian Virtue Ethics

Aristotelian Virtue Ethics

1. Origins in the way he saw society

   • Arete
     • Will differ from person to person
     • Didn't invent the concept but was the first to place it within a system
       • In Organon, discusses the harmonic relationship of the heart and lungs to arete
     • Relates to the idea of excellence and how a thing fulfils its function
   • Each group/individual fulfils a function for a purpose and end
   • There is a virtue common to all humans, it involves the need for individuals/groups to live in harmony with others

2. The Cardinal Virtues

   • Prudence
   • Courage
   • Justice
   • Temperence

3. Eudaimonia

   • Contentment when something achieves their purpose
     • is designed to achieve personal fulfilment and society as well
   • lacks a moral basis. Just concerned with the purpose
   • Telos or end of all things
   • When animate objects find their Golden Mean, they achieve Eudaimonia

4. The Golden Mean

   • The Goldilocks Principle
   • Involves striking a balance between excess and deficiency
   • Virtues and the Mean depends on the individual's or group's role
   • Fits in with Aristotelian ideas of function, purpose and end