Lesson 10: Aristotle on Virtue Ethics

Learning Objectives (KSA):

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a) Articulate what virtue ethics is;
b) Critique virtue ethics; and
c) Reflect on what virtues should they develop in their lives as students

Aristotle on Virtue Ethics

Nicomachean Ethics
- A book written by Aristotle about an inquiry into what is
the best life for human beings to live.
Eudaemonia (Greek)
- Is happiness in English.
- According to Aristotle, is the best life, a life of happiness
- It is the practice of virtue or excellence (arete in Greek)
 Happiness is different for Aristotle than it is for us.
 For us: happiness is a mood or an emotion/feelings.
 For Aristotle: it is an activity or a way of living one's life.
 Aristotle borrowed this
idea from his teacher,
Socrates: “A life lived in
virtues, is a real joy.”
 Thus, it is possible for
one to have an overall
happy life, even if that
life has its moments of
sadness and pain (Barnes, 1984).
2 Types of Virtues (according to Aristotle):
1) intellectual virtue
- is the knowledge of a virtue.
- Performing an excellent action or a virtue needs a
prior knowledge of it, otherwise a person is not
virtuous if the good action is done:
 accidentally: For example: If you throw on the garbage can
your waste food, and the scavengers were able to eat, it does not
make you virtuous because it was not your intention to feed the
scavengers but simply to throw your waste food.
 without knowledge: For example, a 5-year old child
sweeping the floor to imitate his mother, is not a virtuous person
because the child was just imitating his/her mother but is not aware
that sweeping the floor is a good action.
 without good motivation: For example, a politician who
gives money and good during election in order to win the votes of
the people is not a virtuous person because his/her intention was
only to win the election and not because he/she is generous.
2) character virtue
- is a knowledge of a particular virtue that is put into
practice (nakahibalo unsay angay buhaton unya
gibuhat pa gyud).
- Character excellence/virtues comes through a habit
by practicing virtues.
 So, the happiest life is a practice of virtue, but it should be
guided by reason (it should be understood first before
doing it).


Examples of character virtues would be honesty, love,

kindness, considerate, courage, temperance, magnanimity
and many more. (Rorty, 1984). For example, one must
habitually practice honesty in order to be called an honest
person.
Telos
- is derived from the Greek word for "end", “purpose", or
"goal.”
- is a term used by philosopher
Aristotle to refer to the full
potential or inherent purpose or
objective of a person or thing.
- The telos or purpose of a human
being is to practice virtues guided
by reason in order to be happy.

REFERENCE:
Leaño, Gubia-on, Ocampo, (2018). Ethics for College Students. Mindshapers Company Incorporated.
Manila, Philippines.