Key points to be explored of the theory:
Quotations
Key Words:
Purpose
Eudemonia
Reason
Community
The Soul
Virtues
The Doctrine of the Mean
Friendship
According to Aristotle we all have a purpose, and this purpose is to achieve the final aim.
"Every art and every investigation and similarly every action and pursuit is considered to aim at some good"-Aristotle.
To achieve this aim, humans must use superior and subordinate aims. For example; I must study hard to do well in my exams, this is the subordinate aim, to pass my A-Level is the superior aim. To Aristotle, this final aim is happiness or 'eudemonia'. Aristotle believed that there were three types of happiness as there are three types of people:
Those who love pleasure (example: the ordinary man)
Those who love honour (example: Politicians)
Those who love contemplation (example: Philosophers)
To figure out what a good life is, we must use our reason. Aristotle believed that humans were superior to animals and that
"Animals have no share in happiness being completely incapable of such an activity"-Aristotle.
Although as humans were have reason, Aristotle believed that there was no such thing as a free thinking individual as we are all influenced by our social groups, friends and families. The philosopher also believed that the good of the community is more important than that of an individual
"For even if the good of the community coincides with that of the individual, it is clearly a greater and more perfect thing to achieve and preserve that of the community"-Aristotle.
To achieve eudemonia, Aristotle believed that you must cultivate your virtues which could be found in the soul. The soul is split into two parts, the rational and irrational. The rational is further split into two and is made up of scientific, which is where a persons logic and fact is stored and calculative which is where a person weighs things up and uses choice. The irrational is the same and is split into desiderative, what we want and desire and the vegetative which is about our instincts and needs. The intellectual virtues can be found in the rational part of the soul, whilst the moral virtues can be found in the irrational part.
"Virtue is of two kinds, intellectual and moral; intellectual owes its birth and growth to teaching, whilst moral virtue comes to us through habit"-Aristotle
The Intellectual virtues are split into primary and secondary virtues. The Primary:
Wisdom
Intelligence
Scientific Knowledge
Practical Wisdom
Art and Technical Skill
The Secondary:
Resourcefulness
Understanding
Justice
Cleverness
These can be used in moral dilemmas. For example, you may use these during making a decision about abortion. Wisdom might be experience that you have previously had with this moral issue, intelligence could be knowing the consequences, scientific knowledge could be knowing the process of pregnancy and abortion.
"Man acquires a particular quality by constantly acting a particular way"-Aristotle.
Some of the moral virtues include:
Courage
Liberality
Temperance
Magnificence
Magnanimity
Proper-Ambition
Patience
Truthfulness
Wittiness
Friendliness
Modesty
Right-Indignation.
In order to be a moral person you must cultivate your virtues and find the midway point between excess and deficiency. This is known as the Doctrine of the Mean.
"The brave man is the mean between to coward and the rash man"-Aristotle.
Aristotle believes you must use your emotions, but they must be regulated so you
"have these right feelings, at the right times, towards the right people, for the right motive and in the right way"-Aristotle.
For example, if you were responsible for a country and you had to make a decision about going to war, you should consider using the Doctrine of the Mean. You must not be a coward and refuse to do anything, however you must also not be rash and run straight into war without consideration. Instead you must find the midway point and show courage.
Excess Virtue Deficiency
Rashness Courage Cowardice
Vulgarity Magnificence Pettiness
Shamelessness Modesty Shyness
Ambition Proper-Ambition Lack of Ambition
Buffoonery Wittiness Boorishness
The final point to Aristotle's Virtue theory is that of Friendship. Aristotle believed that without friendship, all the virtues would be pointless.
"nobody would choose to live without friends even if he had all other good things"-Aristotle.
Aristotle believed a community relied on friendship
"Friendship is the bond that holds communities together"-Aristotle.
The philosopher also believed that there were three types of friendships:
Utility-Friendships that are useful to us: people in the workplace, people in a queue.
Pleasurable-Friends which have attractive qualities, such as wittiness and are pleasurable to be around.
Perfect-People who we care about more than ourselves
"there are few truly good friendships for there are few truly good people"-Aristotle
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