Introduction to Virtue Ethical Theory & Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics Phil 240, Intro to Ethical Theory, W7L5 BENJAMIN VISSCHER HOLE IV

Practical Wisdom and the structure of Aristotle’s theory phronesis (φρόνησις) No clicker quiz

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.

Spheres of excellence 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

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

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) Plays an architectonic role in Aristotle’s ethical theory. The function (ergon) argument concludes that eudaimonia consists in excellently exercising one’s rational faculty (EN.I.7). Exercising this faculty involves excellently exercising both the moral and intellectual virtues (EN.I.13). Phronesis is one of the intellectual virtues; it also structures the moral virtues (ENVI.13.1144b30).

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) Plays an architectonic role in Aristotle’s ethical theory. The function (ergon) argument concludes that eudaimonia consists in excellently exercising one’s rational faculty (EN.I.7). Exercising this faculty involves excellently exercising both the moral and intellectual virtues (EN.I.13). Phronesis is one of the intellectual virtues; it also structures the moral virtues (ENVI.13.1144b30). The Practical Syllogism EN.VII.3.1147a25-27 In a practical syllogism, the major premise is a universal ethical principle, and the minor premise is about a particular fact, which falls under the perceptual sphere. 1. 2. _________________________ 3.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) As Sarah Broadie puts it, Aristotle simultaneously offers two kinds of answers to “what should I do?” questions: there is a unified, exhaustive answer from the “architectonic perspective,” but there are only particular answers on the “ground level.” Top-down and bottom-up The Aristotelian conception is top- down in the sense that one ought to do whatever is conducive to eudaimonia, or an objective conception of human flourishing. In the practical syllogism, the major premise is the normatively relevant description of eudaimonia 1. 2. _________________________ 3.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) As Sarah Broadie puts it, Aristotle simultaneously offers two kinds of answers to “what should I do?” questions: there is a unified, exhaustive answer from the “architectonic perspective,” but there are only particular answers on the “ground level.” Top-down and bottom-up The Aristotelian conception is bottom-up because virtuous action is ultimately particular in the sense that antecedent ethical principles are radically indeterminate. In the practical syllogism, the minor premise is the moral (ultimate) particular, the morally salient feature(s) or fact(s). 1. 2. _________________________ 3.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) As Sarah Broadie puts it, Aristotle simultaneously offers two kinds of answers to “what should I do?” questions: there is a unified, exhaustive answer from the “architectonic perspective,” but there are only particular answers on the “ground level.” Eudaimonia The function argument; excellence in rational activity Excellence in intellectual virtues Excellence in phronesis Excellence in the moral virtues The doctrine of the mean All of the relevant parameters Moral particulars; objects of moral perception Structured through a series of practical syllogisms …

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) As Sarah Broadie puts it, Aristotle simultaneously offers two kinds of answers to “what should I do?” questions: there is a unified, exhaustive answer from the “architectonic perspective,” but there are only particular answers on the “ground level.” Eudaimonia The function argument; excellence in rational activity Excellence in intellectual virtues Excellence in phronesis Excellence in the moral virtues The doctrine of the mean All of the relevant parameters Moral particulars; objects of moral perception Structured through a series of practical syllogisms …

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) EN.VI.8 Aristotle claims that phronesis is, in part, a perceptual faculty. This is because phronesis is, in part, concerned with how to be virtuous in particular situations. Our knowledge of these moral particulars, it seems, depends on a perception.

Moral (Practical) Perception “… while practical wisdom is concerned with the ultimate particular, which is the object not of scientific knowledge but of perception –not the perception of qualities peculiar to one sense but perception akin to that by which we perceive that the particular figure before us is a triangle; for in that direction as well there will be a limit. But this is rather perception than practical wisdom, though it is another kind of perception than that of the qualities peculiar to each sense.” (EN.VI.8.1142a23-30)

The Reciprocity (Unity) of the Virtues “It is clear, then, from what has been said, that it is not possible to be good in a strict sense without practical wisdom, or practically wise without moral virtue.” (EN.VI.13)

The Reciprocity (Unity) of the Virtues “It is clear, then, from what has been said, that it is not possible to be good in a strict sense without practical wisdom, or practically wise without moral virtue.” (EN.VI.13) 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

Main Takeaways from this lecture Practical Wisdom (phronesis) The Practical Syllogism Practical (Moral) Perception Top-down and bottom-up methodologies Generalism and particularism The Reciprocity of the Virtues