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Aristotle Account of Virtues (Virtues, the doctrine of the mean and the…
Aristotle Account of Virtues
Virtue
Trait of mind or character that helps us achieve a good life
A life in accordance with reason
Two types of virtue
Intellectual
Practical wisdom
Moral
Traits of character
Virtue as character traits
Anything that is part of the soul is either a passion, faculty or state of character
Virtues are part of the soul
Passions
Bodily appetites
Emotions
Feelings accompanied with pleasure or pain
These cannot be virtues
Particular passions do not make you good or bad
We do not choose our passions, but virtues are related to the choices we make
Virtues concern how we are disposed to feel and act
Faculties
Sight
Ability to feel fear
Cannot be virtues
We have these naturally
Virtues must be states of character
State of character
The things in virtue of which we stand well or badly with reference to the passions
Dispositions that relate to what they feel, how they thing, how they react, choices and actions they perform
Short tempered
Disposed to feel angry quickly and oftn
Vices
Intemperate
Drunk often and excessively
Stability and longevity
Last longer than state of mind
Character can change so is less long - lived as personal identity
Virtues are dispositions of me
Kindness and courage are virtues
A virtue of character is a disposition to feel, desire or choose 'well'
Choosing well is important
Virtues, the doctrine of the mean and the importance of feelings
Intermediate course of action
Mean
Differs from person to person
Relative to an individual
Objective
'To feel passions are the right time, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right motive, and in the right way'
Doctrine of the Mean
We should be as angry as a situation requires
There is a mean for actions as well as feelings
Appropriate way
Affective and individual aspects
Accompanied by the right feelings
Wholeheartedness
Intellectual aspect
Understanding that the action is the right thing to do
Practical wisdom
Virtue of reason
The right way to feel passion is determined by reason
If we feel our passions irrationally they we do not live well
We act based on our feelings
Virtue
State of character
Choice
Mean relative to us
Determined by rational principle
Application of the doctrine of the mean to particular virtues
Place a virtue between two vices
Fear
Cowardly
Rash
Virtue of courage
Anger
Unirascible
Virtue of good - tempered
Short - tempered
Shame
Shy
Modest
Shameless
Not all types of actions are states of character can pick out a mean
Furthermore, we often oppose a virtue to one of the two vices, either because it forms a stronger contrast with that vice or because we have a natural tendency towards that vice, so need to try harder to resist
The role of education in the development of a moral character
We are not virtuous by nature
Must first practice acting in a virtuous way before you can be virtuous
We are naturally capable of becoming virtuous
The Skill Analogy
First Part
How development begins by what we do
Same for practical work
Being told how to be good is not enough
In order to become just we have to do just acts
Puzzle is solved by being in accordance with justice and just acts
Actions when learning to become just are acts in accordance with justice
Second Part
Two related skills
First
Expert progresses from simply following rules to developing a high attuned sensitivity to how each situation is different and how to respond appropriately
In growing in virtue, we become better able to recognise situations in which action is called for and what to do in response
Second
Understand why this is a better way
Reflect the reasons for actin this way rather than that
Coherent and unified, ability to justify their choices
Appreciation may change
As we develop in virtue, we understand, in a practical way, more about what is good
Limits
Don't have to pursue the ends of a skill
Virtues pursue our final end and we cannot opt out of having that end
Practical skills can be developed without emotion
Development of our emotional dispositions is central to developing virtue
A fully virtuous action is one which the agent knows what they're doing, chooses the act for its own sake and makes their choice from a firm and unchangeable character