Discussion question: Aristotle and ethics
Discussion question: Aristotle, virtue, and examples
Linked to learning outcome:
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B) Be able to write philosophically on a variety of topics;
Unit objective:
*To understand major concepts (utilitarianism, virtue etc.) associated with ethical philosophy
Aristotle’s discussion of ethics is one that, he argues, links ethical behavior to the realm of human action. In addition, Aristotle uses mathematical and gradation terms (“mean,” “intermediate”) in providing his sense of virtuous ethics. Much of what he writes about is part of a conversation on what counts as being pleasurable, and how pleasure and goodness may be intertwined.
Consider the following section from Aristotle, and compose a 350-500 word analysis and paraphrase of his main points. What do you make of his example of the wrestler, equidistant objects, and virtue? What is he trying to say, in indirect fashion, about virtue? Refer to specifics when making your response.
“How this is to happen we have stated already, but it will be made plain also by the following consideration of the specific nature of virtue. In everything that is continuous and divisible it is possible to take more, less, or an equal amount, and that either in terms of the thing itself or relatively to us; and the equal is an intermediate between excess and defect. By the intermediate in the object I mean that which is equidistant from each of the extremes, which is one and the same for all men; by the intermediate relatively to us that which is neither too much nor too little- and this is not one, nor the same for all. For instance, if ten is many and two is few, six is the intermediate, taken in terms of the object; for it exceeds and is exceeded by an equal amount; this is intermediate according to arithmetical proportion. But the intermediate relatively to us is not to be taken so; if ten pounds are too much for a particular person to eat and two too little, it does not follow that the trainer will order six pounds; for this also is perhaps too much for the person who is to take it, or too little- too little for Milo, too much for the beginner in athletic exercises. The same is true of running and wrestling. Thus a master of any art avoids excess and defect, but seeks the intermediate and chooses this- the intermediate not in the object but relatively to us” (Aristotle, Sec. VI).
Note: Students must respond first before seeing others' comments. There is no need for a follow-up response this week, just the main post.