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Summary Aristotelian virtue ethics practice questions and answers
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Aristotle’s virtue ethics practice questions1. How is virtue ethics different to other normative ethical theories
Aristotle focuses on the individual and their character rather than on individual acts or a set of rules.
The theory is agent-centred rather than act-centred and asks ‘what sort of person should I be?’ The
most important thing is that we develop positive character traits, called virtues, such as generosity,
honesty and courage.
2. Outline Aristotle's theory of virtue ethics.
Aristotle’s theory is a teleological approach to normative ethics. It emphasises the importance of
virtues or moral character rather than rules or consequences of actions. Instead of answering ‘what
should I do?’ he tackles the question of ‘what sort of person should I be?’ Virtue ethics defines good
actions as those done by good people and claims that eudaimonia is what everyone aims for.
Eudaimonia is essentially human flourishing. It is the good life and can only be achieved as the final
end, whereby we achieve the best possible conditions for a human being. We do this by developing
virtues e.g. generosity and fulfilling our function. Virtues are measured using a system called the
doctrine of the mean, so that we act on the mid -point between a vice of deficiency and a vice of
excess. Aristotle specifies that we should judge humans in terms of how well they have met the
criteria for being a virtuous person and this is the basis of his moral theory.
3. Outline eudaimonia
Eudaimonia is a term used by philosopher Aristotle to describe human flourishing. It means
achieving the best possible conditions for a human being in every sense – it is broader than
happiness as it includes our virtues and having a meaningful life. Aristotle argued we can achieve
eudaimonia by working hard and cultivating our values in the circumstances given to us. It takes into
account the entirety of someone’s life, not just a day.
4. Explain Aristotle's account of the ‘good’
Aristotle held a teleological view of the universe – everything is directed toward the final good. The
ultimate good for human beings is eudaimonia. Eudaimonia can be translated as human flourishing
and is the only thing sought for its own good. Aristotle rejects popular approaches as to what it is,
such as pleasure or wealth since they are both just means to an end. We work on developing our
character in order to achieve eudaimonia, meaning we must acquire virtues which help us to act
virtuously such as generosity.
5. Define eudaimonia
Eudaimonia can be translated as flourishing. It is the ultimate good and the only thing sought for its
own sake.
6. Explain the relationship between eudaimonia and pleasure
Aristotle disagrees with hedonism that the good for humans is pleasure. He argues that we seek
things other than pleasure, such as virtue. Philosophers have tried to equate the two, but Aristotle
disagrees. Eudaimonia can be translated as flourishing. It is the ultimate good and the only thing
sought for its own sake However, the good life (eudaimonia) does involve pleasure so it would be
wrong to completely reject it. Aristotle devised the doctrine of the mean as a way to guide us into
developing the right virtues and away from vices. It states we should try to find and act on the
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