Aristotle

 Ethics as viewed by Aristotle, is an attempt to find out our chief end or highest good: an end which he maintains is really final.

Forms and Matter  A thing is a unity of form and matter.  Matter – Physical stuff of a substance, which is given shape by the substances form.  Actualized in form.  Form – Purpose or end which the matter serves.  Exists potentially in matter.

Potentiality and Actuality  Account for the developmental changes in a substance.  Matter – Principle of potentiality.  Form – Principle of actuality.

Matter Form Potentiality Actualization Matter Form PotentialityActualization Acorn is the potentiality which is actualized by the oak tree. Tree is the potentiality which is actualized by the house. Embryo is the potentiality which is actualized by the child.

Four Causes  Determines the nature of a thing.  Something can only be fully understood when the material cause, developmental stages, and form are known.

Four Causes  Material Cause – The make up of something.  Material of which a house is built.  Formal Cause – The form to be actualized, what something is to become.  The house that is to be built.  Efficient Cause – Who/What brings about the change in a thing.  Work and tools which produce the house.  Final Cause – ultimate purpose.

Aristotle on Human Nature  Non-Christian notion of a creator - Reason.  Causal link between things via material or formal cause led to the concept and theology of God.  God is unmoved mover or uncaused cause.  Learn through observation of humanity and Nature  Existence - Telos – Eudamonia(humanity)  “Final Cause” or “Goal”  Usually a singular telos

Eudaimonia  Ultimate goal for humanity and reason for actions.  “Happiness”  Objective, but with subjective elements.

Eudaimonia Ex. Clothes VS

Eudaimonia Ex. Education VS

Eudaimonia Ex. Fitness

Eudaimonia Ex. Desires

Eudaimonia Ex. Faith

Eudaimonia Ex. Negative Behavior

Eudaimonia Ex. Posititve People

Eudaimonia Ex. Rich and Famous People

Eudaimonia Ex. Negative People

Eudaimonia Personal Preference vs. Objective Norms Happiness has subjective elements. Ie. Personal Preference

Eudaimonia  Objective in the necessary formation of character.  Eudaimonia(happiness) is achieved through a life of virtue.  Virtue is a necessary condition for happiness.

Eudaimonia  Personal belief of happiness does not equate with true happiness.  Flawed notion of happiness. What if I believe that I am happy?!!!!

Aristotle vs. Relativism  No moral truth vs. lives of virtue to achieve telos.  All humans share the same basic nature.

Parts of a human being Rational (Distinctly Human) Non – Rational (Human and Animal) Appetitive Vegetative Ability to control Parts enable us to achieve true happiness through a life of virtue.

Parts of a human being Rational  Reasons, Thinks, Deliberates, and Judges what is right and wrong.  Distinctly human

Parts of a human being Non-Rational  Both human and animal  Vegetative and Appetitive parts.

Parts of a human being Non-Rational – Appetitive  Responsible for our emotions and desires JoyGriefHopeFear

Parts of a human being Non-Rational – Appetitive  Because of rational part humans, humans have the distinct ability to controls these desires with the help of reason.  The human ability to properly control these desires is called moral virtue.

Parts of a human being Non-Rational – Vegetative  Controls involuntary functions.  Eg. Growth, breathing, heartbeat, digestion

Character Types and Human Nature Actions and Character go hand in hand.  Appetitive part is brought under control and Virtue is gained through continuously practicing virtuous behaviors – use rational.  By repeating certain types of behavior, we can change how we feel or react to certain situations.  Bad can become good and good can become bad. Good Lindsay Lohan Bad Lindsay Lohan

Character Types Continent (Enduring)  Ability to reason correctly.  Appetites do not follow reason.  Reason reluctantly prevails over desires.

Character Types Incontinent (soft)  Ability to reason correctly.  Appetites do not follow reason.  Appetites prevail over reason.

Character Types Virtuous  Ability to reason correctly.  Appetites fall in line with reason.  No internal struggle.  Peace and happiness because of internal harmony.

Character Types Vicious (self-indulgent)  Cannot reason correctly.  Appetites are in line with reason.  Does not do the right thing.  There is no internal struggle because they actively do the wrong thing without remorse.  Rational part is no longer able to judge right from wrong.  Death is fine because they can no longer be rehabilitated.  Plagued by self hate.

Virtue and Mean  Extremes on either end of the spectrum are vice.  Virtuous person strives for the middle course.  Virtuous person is able to find the middle course with ease.

Virtue and Mean  Mean is relative to each person.  Eg. Exercise and food.  Some actions are without a mean.  Eg. Murder, Unfaithfulness, Rape

Virtuous Person is the measure  Observation of the virtuous person is the point of reference.

Character Types  Virtue and Happiness  Vicious people struggle with self-hate.  Vicious people as well as Incontinent people search for friendship in order to escape themselves.

Golden Mean How a virtuous person makes their decisions.  Virtuous person strives for the middle course between two extremes called vices.  One vice is “too much” one vice is “too little.”  Virtuous person is able to find the middle course with ease.

Golden Mean ActivityVice(excess)Virtue(Mean)Vice(Deficit) Liking a female Stalker Ask out/ hold conversation Fear of Confrontation Fearing Danger CowardiceCourageFoolhardiness Eating, Drinking, and Desiring sex Gluttony, Self indulgence TemperanceInsensitivity

Golden Mean What are the Vices and What would the virtuous person do?  Drinking  Eating  Shopping  Standing up to an injustice  Studying for a class  Dating  Pedophilia

Finding the Mean  Mean is relative to each person.  Ex. Exercise, Food  Some situations don’t have a mean.  Ex. Murder, Rape, Adultery VS.

Finding the Mean  Virtuous person is the measure.  Observe or consult virtuous people.

Finding the Mean  Avoid the extreme that is more opposed to the mean.  One vice is closer to the virtue than the other.  If necessary choose the vice that is the better of the two for the situation.  Ex. Courage and foolhardiness.

Finding the Mean Know Yourself  Which vice are you more prone to – gives you the most struggle in life.

Finding the Mean Always be wary of pleasure, of all things, it is most likely to lead you astray.  Pleasure can enslave a person; influencing there actions without there proper reason.  Ex. Sex, Food, Anger

Finding the Mean The Bent Stick Remedy  Those struggling with one vice should strive as hard as possible to do the other vice in order to achieve the mean.  Ex. Patience

Aristotle and Christianity (Aquinas) Similarities and Differences Similarities  Everything has a purpose.  Moral Laws are knowable through common sense and reason.  God has put a longing for eternal happiness inside the hearts of all human beings, a desire that can only be fulfilled by eternal union with God in heaven.  Moral virtue is a necessary condition and essential component for holiness and happiness.

Aristotle and Christianity Similarities and Differences Differences  God according to reason vs. God according to revelation.  Aristotle’s virtues reflect his society vs. Christian virtues in light of revelation.  Ex. Humility, Love by God and Love for others.