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

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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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 b30).

7. 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 b30).
The Practical Syllogism
EN.VII a25-27
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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 …

11. 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 …

12. 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.

13. 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 a23-30)

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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