Aristotle's Virtue Ethics

Aristotle's Virtue Ethics

1. Function Argument

   • Aristotle's attempt for setting out what eudaemonia (living well) might be for humans
   • Aristotle's view of function
     • The function (or ergon) of something is its characteristic form of activity that sets it apart from other things
       • ergon of a knife is to cut, ergon of an eye is to see, etc...
         • something is good when it performs it characteristic activity well. e.g 'good knife cuts well'
         • Acrete - 'A quality that aids the fulfilment of a things ergon' e.g. 'sharpness is a virtue in a knife that aids it to cut'
       • A humans characteristic activity cannot be being alive or perception because animals also have these
         • Being guided by reason is distinctive of human life, Therefore a humans ergon is to be guided by reason
           • A human is a good human if it performs its function well
             • A good human lives a life well guided by reason
             • In order for a human to fulfil their function, they will need certain qualities (virtues / acarets)
               • A good human being ought to live in accordance to the virtues
                 • Eudaemonia consists of rational activity in accordance with virtue
                   • This applies to a humans life as a whole, a day or even a year of living well doesn't result in eudaimonia
               • Being guided by the right reasons
       • Three types of good:
         • Mind
           • Body
             • External
           • Most Important good
     • The rational Soul
       • Arational
         • Growth and Nutrition
         • Desire and Emotion
           • Someone with the virtue of abstinence wouldn't even be tempted by what is not good
       • Rational
         • Virtues of Intellect
           • We use to reason
         • Virtues of Character
           • Desire and emotion responds to reason

2. Doctrine of the mean

   • We shouldn't have an excess or efficiency of a virtue. this will create bad character trait (vices)
     • e.g. the virtuous character trait of courage.
       • Too much courage causes stupidity
       • Too little courage causes cowardliness
       • So we need to find a middle ground between the two. which will be a virtue (Golden mean)
   • All virtue works like this, the right action is always the mid point between two extremes
   • Practical Wisdom
     • Intellectual virtue, necessary & sufficient for moral virtues.
     • It involves
       • 1 - Genral understanding of what is good or bad relating to the conditions for eudiamonia
         • 2 - The ability to understand what is required in order to choose the right action in particular situations
           • 3 - the ability to reflect well
             • 4 - The ability to act on that reflection

3. Voluntary and involuntary actions

   • involuntary actions = Force & Ignorance
     • Loosing balance & accidentally stepping on someones foot = FORCE
       • Putting your foot down without looking and stepping on someones foot = IGNORANCE
         • When we act involuntary, we do so with pain and regret
           • The type of ignorance that makes you act involuntary depends on the circumstances of your action
             • 1) you know what you are aiming to do (get comfortable)
               • 2) you know the general truths (people have feet)
                 • but you do not now the particular circumstance of your action (stepping on someones foot)
         • regret = involuntary
         • not caring = not voluntary
         • Being drunk = Acting 'in' ignorance
         • Accidentally stepping on foot = Acting 'from' ignorance
   • Voluntary = we know what we're doing and bring it about ourselves
     • actions You bring about in knowledge of what you are doing
     • Choice is a voluntary action which is done through reflection
       • Choice relates to what we can actually do and not what we wish we could do
         • Choice isn't a desire
           • Choice isn't an opinion - opinions are right or wrong, choices are good or bad
       • Reflection is a reasoned thought about what we can change by our efforts, when we need to act differently on different occasions.

4. Focuses on the person and not the action

   • Doesn't tell you how to act but instead what sort of person you should be
     • If we focus on being good people, the right actions will follow

5. Objection - virtue ethics isn't specific enough / doesn't give clear guidance how to act

   • Response - No need to be specific, as if you're virtuous then you now what to do all the time
   • Objection - You cannot learn to be virtuous
     • Virtue is a skille / way of living you learn through experience, its a practical wisdom.
       • Repetition of a virtuous act makes it part of your character
         • We know the right thing to do by watching and copying moral exemplars.
     • Objection - Circularity in the definition of 'virtuous acts' and 'virtuous people'
       • A virtuous act is an act that would be performed by a virtuous person
         • A virtuous person is a person that performs virtuous acts
           • saying the same thing
   • Objection - Conflicts between virtues
     • Can we show both justice and mercy or do we have to choose one?
       • Response - You misunderstand the virtues themselves
       • requirements of truthfulness conflict with kindness