Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle – Nicomachean Ethics
Book I
1. What does it mean to say Aristotle’s ethical theory is “teleological?”
In Aristotle’s world, nature, which is made up of matter and form, is teleological, meaning it has an end or goal. For example, the telos of an acorn is to turn into an oak tree. At first something has its potential and then it makes the choice in life to actualize that potential, by virtue, and be the best it can be. There is an aim and purpose to everything and a purpose to everything.

2. How does Aristotle argue that there must be at least one final good/end? What is it?
Aristotle argues that everything we do is for some purpose and all our actions aim at some goal or end. We naturally aim at the good or in other words, “that at which all things aim.” The final end is to be happy which is also considered to be the highest good.

3. What is Aristotle’s definition of happiness?
The definition of happiness is eudemonia, meaning the realization or actualization of unique human capacities. Happiness is a complete and sufficient good, this implies that it is desired for itself, that it is not desired for the sake of anything else and it’s stable.

4. Explain the “function” argument. How does Aristotle prove that there is no higher good for man than doing human things well?
According to Aristotle, humans are by nature rational animals. The best human life will be a life of activity in accord with reason. A good human life is when you are being the best human you can be. A life in accord with reason is a life of virtue. This will lead to the ultimate end in happiness.

5. Give a description of the various “parts” of the human soul. Why is knowledge of the soul important? NOT SURE ON THIS ONE!

Book II
1. What is a “virtue?” How does Aristotle define it? Be able to list four Aristotelian moral virtues and their corresponding excess and deficiencies.
A virtue is made up of genus, a general category, and species, a specific difference. The genus of virtue is made up of emotion, capacity and characteristic. Everyone has character which is a settled state or disposition.
4 Aristotelian moral virtues
1) Temperance
2) Prudence
3) Justice
4) Courage

2. Explain how moral virtues are acquired.
We become good human beings by doing good actions. The result of habits and practicing to be good are moral virtue and these must be developed early. We must be able to train the soul by doing activities that will help it.

3. Explain Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean. Explain how a virtuous passion and a virtuous action are (a) relative to the individual and yet (b) objective.
The doctrine of the mean tells us about the structure of virtue. The appropriate amount of passion to feel on any given circumstance is some point between two extremes where the extremes are vices and the intermediate point is a virtue. They are objective because everything must aim for a mean.

4. What does Aristotle mean when he says “the virtues are implanted in us neither by nature nor contrary to nature”? NOT SURE ON THIS ONE!

5. List and explain the three additional characteristics (besides habit) required for virtue.
1) You must know what you are doing
2) You must choose to act virtuously and choose to act because the action is good
3) Your action must spring from an unchangeable character

Book III
1. Explain the difference between voluntary and involuntary action.
Voluntary action – We receive praise or blame. Source of action is within oneself and it is in their power to act or not. It is done with nothing making you do it.
Involuntary action – We are pardoned or sometimes even pitied. Actions done under constraint or do to ignorance. You are forced to do this.

2. What does Aristotle mean when he says “what seems good to a man of high moral standards is truly the object of wish”?
What is good for a person differs with different characteristics and what makes a man of high quality is the ability to see the truth in every moral question.

3. Explain what Aristotle means when he says: “That no one is involuntarily happy is true, but wickedness in voluntary.”
No one is involuntarily happy and if we don’t accept that wickedness is voluntary, we must contradict the conclusions at which we have arrived. We must deny that man is the source and begetter of his actions. If conclusions are accepted, then all actions in which the initiative lies in us are in our power and are voluntary.

Book VI
1. What are “intellectual virtues?”
Dispositions of our mind to know the truth. And a kind of wisdom acquired by teaching.

2. Explain what “practical wisdom” is. What does a person of practical wisdom know? Explain the role of practical wisdom in moral virtue. How is it connected to happiness? Why is it not possible to have moral virtue without practical wisdom?
Practical wisdom is also known as prudence. To split up the two words, practical means action and wisdom means knowledge/ intellect. Knowledge about what is good in a particular situation and being able to perceive what it is good to do. It is the capacity to act in accord with the good of humanity. A person with practical wisdom knows what happiness consists and has a general knowledge of what happiness is.

Aquinas – Treatise on Law
1. What is Aquinas’ definition of “law?” Explain each “part” of the definition.
1) An ordinance of reason (If you want A, do B).
2) For the common good (Benefits everyone).
3) Made by the one who has care of the community (Authority).
4) Promulgated (Made known to people).

2. Explain Aquinas’ distinction between “human acts” and “acts done by a human.” Which one constitutes moral actions?
All human acts are voluntarily, but not always with choice. Human acts are acts done by a human being but not vice versa. They are moral acts (right or wrong) and subject to moral law. They are actions a human performs as human. Human acts are directed toward our ultimate end (happiness). Acts done by a human are ones that come from reason and are chosen through deliberation. They are anything a human may do.

3. What is “eternal law?”
God’s big picture for the world (Ultimate law giver) It is the final end that we can’t entirely know but encompasses everything through a divine providence.

4. What is “natural law”?
Our participation in the Eternal law when you do things of your nature.

5. What is “divine law”?
God’s revelation to us in the Bible (10 Commandments)

6. What is “human law”?
Civil Law (Legislature) An example is traffic law. This is to coerce people into acting properly in order to have peace. Laws are there to help people become good. People follow this because it is good for society. To be right, all human law must come from reason and must flow from the natural law (makes it just).

7. Explain how the four different kind of law are related to one another. NOT SURE ON THIS ONE!

8. What is the first precept of the natural law? How does Aquinas arrive at this first precept?
The first precept/ rule of natural law, which is self-evident, is “do good, avoid evil.” Something can’t both be and not be at the same time, in the same respect. It is the law of non-contradiction.

9. When is a human law just? When is it unjust?
Human law is just if it accords with natural law. It satisfies all the requirements to be a law in the first place. A human law is unjust if it fails to meet any of the criteria of law (has no power).

10. (a) How is Aquinas’ moral theory similar to Aristotle’s moral theory? (b) How is it different? IM GUESSING THIS IS THE LONG ESSAY