1. Introduction to Virtue Ethical Theory & Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Phil 240, Intro to Ethical Theory, W7L4
BENJAMIN VISSCHER HOLE IV

2. Agenda
Aristotle’s account of virtue
Clicker Quiz

3. Clicker Quiz

4. Aristotle divides the virtues into:
natural virtues and artificial virtues.
‘a apriori’ virtues and ‘a posteriori’ virtues.
moral virtues and intellectual virtues.
positive virtues and negative virtues.
human virtues and divine virtues.
all of the above.
none of the above.

5. Aristotle conceives of a virtue as:
a capacity.
an ability.
a gift from the gods.
a state of character.
all of the above.
none of the above.

6. Aristotle describes each virtue as:
a maximum.
a minimum.
a mean.
an extreme.
all of the above.
none of the above.

7. 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. 7

8. Human Excellence Eudaimonia Human Excellence (arête) Moral Luck
The Function Argument
Teleology

9. Human Excellence Moral Education (EN.II) Eudaimonia
Human Excellence (arête)
Moral Luck
The Function Argument
Teleology
Moral Education (EN.II)
Moral understanding requires emotional maturity:
Emotions help us see what is morally relevant.
Emotions motivate us to do the right thing.
Virtue can be acquired only by habituation, training, experience, and practice.

10. Human Excellence
Virtues are complex character traits, or sets of dispositions, that involve a person's perceptions, thoughts, motives, and behavior.
Virtue (EN.II.6)
State that decides
Consisting in a mean
Relative to us
By reference to reason to which a prudent person would define it

11. Weekly Writing Assignment
Human Excellence
Weekly Writing Assignment
Parse out Aristotle’s account of virtue by explaining each part of his description.
Virtue (EN.II.6)
State that decides
Consisting in a mean
Relative to us
By reference to reason to which a prudent person would define it

12. Human Excellence Virtue (EN.II.6) State that decides
A virtue is a state of character, a steady disposition to act, think, and feel in particular ways.
Virtues direct us to choose the “mean” between extremes, avoiding both excess and defect.
Virtue (EN.II.6)
State that decides
Consisting in a mean
Relative to us
By reference to reason to which a prudent person would define it

13. The doctrine of the mean
“[Virtue] is the mean reference to two vices: the one of excess and the other of deficiency. It is moreover a mean because some vices exceed and others fall short of what is required in emotion and in action, whereas virtue finds and chooses the mean.” (1107a1-6)*
*Ostwald trans.

14. The Doctrine of the Mean: Problems?*
Aristotle seems committed to the thesis: ‘One’s character may err in two opposed ways.’
Hursthouse argues that the right object and right reason cannot be described as means between extremes.
The fearless phobic is rightly disposed in the sphere of the battlefield, but deathly afraid of mice.
*Hursthouse, Rosalind. (1980) “A False Doctrine of the Mean.” Proceedings from the Aristotelian Society, 81:

15. The Doctrine of the mean
The Structure of Aristotle’s Theory*
“Each virtue is a character trait concerned with a different aspect or sphere of human life.”
“A virtue is a disposition for getting all of the parameters right.”
The doctrine of the mean (1107a1-6).
“Each virtue is associated with two vices.”
“The right quantity for each parameter is a mean. Each virtue is medial with respect to all relevant parameters; each vice is too little or too much of some parameter(s).”
*Curzer, Howard J. “A Defense of Aristotle’s Doctrine that Virtue Is a Mean” Ancient Philosophy, 16 (1996): , pp. 130.

16. Strongly Agree Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree
The doctrine of the mean is best interpreted as metaphorical and heuristic, not literal and quantitative.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

17. The doctrine of the mean
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

18. Moral Complexity Moral rules corresponding to virtues.
There are many moral rules of thumb, which vary in different contexts.

19. Aristotle & Virtue Spheres of Excellence Habituation & Moral Education
The Doctrine of the Mean
The Reciprocity / Unity of the Virtues
Virtue Sphere of Life
Virtues of feelings
Courage Fear/confidence
Temperance (Bodily) pleasure
Virtues of external goods
Generosity Money
Magnificence
Magnanimity Honor
Proper Pride
Virtues concerned
with social life
Mildness Anger
Truthfulness Truth-telling
Wit Pleasure amusements
Friendliness Pleasure in daily life

20. Aristotle’s account of virtue
Strongly Agree
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree