1. Aristotelian Ethics Teleology and Virtue

2. Aristotle (382-322 B.C.E.) Student of Plato in Socratic tradition Originally a botanist Scientific, analytical mind that categorizes and systematizes Writes several extended essays on areas of philosophy Eg. Politics, Poetics, Ethics

3. Nicomachean Ethics Written for his son, Nicomachus Written for his son, Nicomachus Organized in order of predominant virtues and building to study of highest human goal = happiness Organized in order of predominant virtues and building to study of highest human goal = happiness 1 st : Practical virtues (courage, temperance, justice, and prudence) 1 st : Practical virtues (courage, temperance, justice, and prudence) 2 nd : Friendship 2 nd : Friendship 3 rd : Pleasure and happiness 3 rd : Pleasure and happiness

4. Questions? What is friendship? What is friendship? What is Happiness? What is Happiness? What is Pleasure What is Pleasure

5. Teleology Aristotle grounds his ethical theory on the assumption that all things have an essential purpose, goal, end Aristotle grounds his ethical theory on the assumption that all things have an essential purpose, goal, end Telos = the final cause, or goal, of an object Telos = the final cause, or goal, of an object Most natural objects have at least one end Most natural objects have at least one end Ethics is determined by using all natural objects toward their intended or proper end Ethics is determined by using all natural objects toward their intended or proper end

6. Teleology (cont.) The telos of human beings is: eudaimonia The telos of human beings is: eudaimonia = happiness or complete well-being = happiness or complete well-being Is an end in itself without further end Is an end in itself without further end Recognizing objective characteristics of the human being, there are objective elements to happiness Recognizing objective characteristics of the human being, there are objective elements to happiness Not just happy b/c you think you are Not just happy b/c you think you are Must be rightly ordered within - virtuous Must be rightly ordered within - virtuous

7. Virtues and Character As ethos is character, we must ask “How does one build character to do the proper act that leads to happiness?” As ethos is character, we must ask “How does one build character to do the proper act that leads to happiness?” Must acquire virtues = good habits Must acquire virtues = good habits Avoid corruption of person in vices Avoid corruption of person in vices Cardinal virtues are: 1. fortitude (courage); 2. temperance; 3. justice; 4 prudence Cardinal virtues are: 1. fortitude (courage); 2. temperance; 3. justice; 4 prudence

8. Virtue Acquisition Acquiring virtues requires first that we “know thyself” Acquiring virtues requires first that we “know thyself” words on oracle’s Temple at Delphi words on oracle’s Temple at Delphi Human beings are made up of 3 parts: Human beings are made up of 3 parts: 1. rational – mind 1. rational – mind 2. appetitive – emotion 2. appetitive – emotion 3. vegetative - physical 3. vegetative - physical

9. Virtue Acquisition (cont.) We learn by doing virtuous deeds We learn by doing virtuous deeds Cf. recursive nature of ethics Cf. recursive nature of ethics Jump into the cycle and do it Jump into the cycle and do it Virtue is often the “golden mean” or the average of extreme behavior Virtue is often the “golden mean” or the average of extreme behavior Although relative to each person, look to examples for balanced behavior Although relative to each person, look to examples for balanced behavior

10. Character Types Spectrum of Virtuous Character Spectrum of Virtuous Character Questions of if one can: Questions of if one can: A. judge right from wrong A. judge right from wrong B. put appetites in line with reason B. put appetites in line with reason C. do the right thing C. do the right thing In the most vicious cases, reason is so corrupt, cannot understand virtue In the most vicious cases, reason is so corrupt, cannot understand virtue Virtuous Continent/Enduring Incontinent/Soft Vicious/Self-Indulgent

11. Virtues and Vices EXCESSMEANDEFICIENCY Fear and ConfidenceRashnessCourageCowardice Honor and Dishonor AmbitionProper Ambition Unambitiousness Honor and Dishonor VanityMagnanimityTimid/Unsure AngerIrascibilityPatienceLack of Spirit Self-expressionBoastfulnessTruthfulnessUnderstatement ConversationBuffooneryWittinessBoorishness Social ConductFlatteryFriendliness Cantankerousness ShameShynessModestyShamelessness IndignationEnvy Righteous indignation Malicious enjoyment

12. Question What sort of character type do you consider yourself? What sort of character type do you consider yourself?

13. Question Why do you follow rules? Why do you follow rules?

14. Kolberg’s Theory of Moral Development