1. Introduction to Virtue Ethical Theory & Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Phil 240, Intro to Ethical Theory, W7L3
BENJAMIN VISSCHER HOLE IV

2. Agenda Virtue ethics and Aristotle’s EN.1 Assessing the class
Clicker Quiz

3. Assessing the class Your Contributions Discussion Lecture
Content and Readings
Assignments and Quizzes
Course Structure and Grades
Final Paper and Exam
GRADING ALLOCATION
Participation 5%
Daily Quizzes 20%
Weekly Assignments 25%
Final Paper 35%
Final Exam 15%

4. Clicker Quiz

5. 1. Aristotle claims that the function of human life consists in:
survival and reproduction.
service to the gods.
rational activity.
to pursue pleasure.
to satisfy one’s desires.
all of the above.
none of the above.

6. 2. Aristotle claims that moral virtue is:
necessary and sufficient for a good life (eudaimonia).
necessary for a good life, but not sufficient for one.
sufficient for a good life, but not necessary for one.
neither necessary nor sufficient for a good life.

7. 3. According to Aristotle, happiness (eudaimonia) is:
a state of mind.
a feeling or sensation.
a craft.
a virtue.
activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.
all of the above.
none of the above.

8. Virtue ethics and Aristotle’s EN.1

9. An Argument for Virtue Ethics?
Stocker states, “to the extent that you live the theory directly, to that extent you will fail to achieve its goods” (73); e.g., interpersonal relationships.
Indirection: a theory is “indirect” if it encourages you to act without direct regard to the theory itself.
It is better for an ethical theory to be direct.
Modern ethical theories are indirect.
Virtue ethical theories are direct.
Therefore, virtue ethical theories are better than modern ethical theories.

10. It is better for an ethical theory to be direct
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

11. TRILEMMA: An ethical theory is either: (1) indirect, (2) an unsatisfactory response to the immoralist’s challenge, or (3) egoist?
True
False

12. Aristotle, EN.I The human good
Aristotle: “Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good.”
Teleology (telos)
Some ends are subordinate to others
Example: Bridle-making is subordinate to riding.
But not every end can be subordinate to another, so there must be some end that is desired for its own sake.
For human beings, this end is eudaimonia. 12

13. Dialectical vs. demonstrative methods
The dialectical method starts a line of reasoning from endoxa, while the demonstrative starts from first principles (archai) (Top100a27-30).
Endoxa are common opinions held by all, by most, or by the wise (Top100b22-23, Rh1361a25-27).
EN.1.4
“Verbally, there is very general agreement; for both the general run of men and people of superior refinement say it is happiness, and identify living well and faring well with being happy” (1095a15)
“For this fact is a starting point (archē) … and the man who has been brought up well has or can easily get these starting points (archai)” (1095b5)

14. Aristotle’s Rejection of Plato’s Theory of forms
EN.1.6

15. FORM Plato’s Theory of the Forms
Whenever we can apply a single term to more than one object, there is a corresponding Form to that object. (Ph.100c; Rep.596a)

16. EN.1.6: Aristotle’s Rejection of Plato
Form
Object1
Object2
Object3
EN.1.6: Aristotle’s Rejection of Plato
“And one might ask the question, what in the world they mean by ‘a thing itself’, if (as in the case) in ‘man himself’ and in a particular man the account of man is one and the same. For in so far as they are men, they will in no respect differ; and if this is so, neither will ‘good itself’ and particular goods, in so far as they are good.” (EN.1096a b5)
Plato’s Theory of the Forms
Whenever we can apply a single term to more than one object, there is a corresponding Form to that object. (Ph.100c; Rep.596a)

17. There is a form of “the good”
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

18. Aristotle, EN.I.7
Eudaimonia is final (not aimed at some other end) and self-sufficient (one only need live a eudaimon life).
The Function Argument
For anything that has a function or activity, its good or excellence (virtue) depends on/lies in that function. (If human beings have a function then the good of human beings will depend on/lie in that function.)
The function of anything is something peculiar to that thing.
Only humans engage in the kind of rational activity they engage in.
The function of man is activity of soul in accordance with reason, or not apart from reason.
The good of man, or happiness, is then rational activity in accordance with virtue. 18

19. Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
The Function argument
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree