Aristotle
Virtue Ethics
Aristotle
 Born in 384.
 From the
northwestern
edge of the
Greek Empire in
Stagira.
 Father was
physician to
King Amyntas of
Macedonia.
Two Moral Perspectives
The Question of Action:
What should I do? How ought I to act?
The Question of Character
What kind of person ought I to be?
Aristotle’s concern is with the question of
character
Aristotle’s Ethics
Good is that at which
all things aim.
The proper function
or excellence of a
things is its arete
(virtue).
The human arete or
virtue is activity of the
soul in accordance
with virtue (over a
lifetime).
Human virtue (Arete)
It can not be simply living and growing—
trees do that as well.
It can not be related to characteristics we
share with animals.
The quality that seems distinctively human
is the use of reason. “The function of man
then is activity of soul [thinking well and
doing well] in accordance with reason.”
Human virtue (arete)
 Humans can have two kinds of virtue:
Intellectual virtues: these relate particularly to our
professions, i.e., they will differ for a truck driver, cook,
lawyer, farmer, doctor, etc.
Moral virtues: This virtue is common to all humans, but it
may vary in degree according to our capacities. Moral
virtue “is the outcome of habit; its name, ethike, is derived
from ethos, habit. So the difference between one and
another training in habits in our childhood is not a light
manner, but important, or rather, all important.”
 Both intellectual and moral virtues are needed for
us to achieve happiness (eudaemonia)
Happiness: The Self-sufficient End
Most of the ends (goals) we seek are
instrumental steps toward some ultimate
goal.
Aristotle identifies happiness
(eudaemonia) as that which we seek as a
goal that is an end in itself.
Happiness: The Self-sufficient End
Happiness comes from developing a good
character.
A good character comes from the development
of good habits.
Good Character
Happiness
People have a natural
capacity for good
character, but it must be
developed through
constant practice. Good
leaders (parent and
civic leaders) are
necessary to guide us in
the development of
good habits.
Good Character
Good Habits
Good Actions
Good thoughts
Good Character
Virtuous thoughts lead to good acts
Virtuous acts (following the Mean) can lead
to good habits
Good habits make for a good character
A good character can be happy
Business and Professional Ethics
application: We should ask, “Will this act
help lead me to be the person I should be?
Will I be a person of good character”
Virtue (arete) as the mean, the correct
balance
The mean is the right balance between
two extremes, the extreme of excess and
the extreme of deficiency.
Examples:
Deficiency
Cowardliness
Humility
Stingy
Mean
Excess
courage
rashness
pride
vanity
givingspendthrift
Virtues and Spheres of Existence (Dev.(c) By L.M. Hinman)
Sphere of Existence
Deficiency
Attitude toward self
Servility
Self-deprecation
Proper Self-Love
Proper Pride
Self-Respect
Ignoring them
Attitude toward
offenses of others Being a Doormat
Anger
Forgiveness
Understanding
Gratitude
Admiration
Attitude toward
good
deeds of others
Suspicion
Envy
Ignoring them
Indifference
Attitude toward our
own offenses Remorselessness
Downplaying
Attitude toward
our friends
Indifference
Mean
Agent Regret
Remorse
Making Amends
Learning from them
Self-Forgiveness
Loyalty
Excess
Arrogance
Conceit
Egoism
Narcissism
Vanity
Revenge
Grudge
Resentment
Over
indebtedness
Toxic Guilt
Scrupulosity
Shame
Obsequiousness
Virtue (arete) as the mean (inbetween)
The mean varies according to individuals
The mean of courage is different for a
marine, a college student, and an eightyear old child.
The mean of charitable giving is different
for a billionaire, a college teacher, and a
student.
Actions & Emotions Without a Mean
“There are some [actions/emotions] whose
very name implies wickedness.”
For example: “malice, shamelessness,
and envy among the emotions and
adultery, theft, and murder among the
actions.”
The Difficulty of Being Good
“That is why it is so hard to be good; for it
is always hard to find the mean in
anything.”
“That is why goodness is rare and
praiseworthy and noble.”