NAME: Charlene Vince Manreal DATE: May 5, 2023

COURSE/YEAR/SECTION: BS ARCH_1B

POST MIDTERM ACTIVITY ON VIRTUE AND NATURAL LAW OF ETHICS

1. What is Virtue Ethics?
Virtue ethics is a branch of ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of developing
virtuous character traits in individuals in order to live a good life. It is based on the idea that
moral qualities, rather than rules and consequences, should be the focus of ethical inquiry.

In virtue ethics, virtues are viewed as positive character traits that enable individuals to
behave morally well. Examples of virtues are honesty, courage, compassion and generosity.
Virtue ethics also recognizes that virtues can exist in varying degrees and that individuals can
develop and improve them over time. Rather than simply following rules and principles, virtue
ethics encourages individuals to cultivate virtuous habits and attitudes that enable them to
make sound moral judgments in a variety of situations. It is often contrasted with other ethical
theories such as consequentialism and deontology, which each focus on the consequences of
actions and the moral rules that govern them. 

2. What do you mean by TELOS according to Aristotle?

In Aristotle’s philosophy, “telos” refers to the ultimate end or goal to which something is or
is directed. It is the ultimate cause or final effect of the existence of a thing and guides its
development and actions.

For Aristotle, everything in nature has a telos or ultimate purpose or goal. For example, an
acorn telos is said to grow into an oak, while an individual telos is said to live a life of virtue and
excellence.

Aristotle believed that understanding the telos of things is essential to understanding their
nature and how they behave. By understanding what something is ultimately striving for, we can
understand how it behaves, what it needs to thrive, and what obstacles stand in its way to reach
Telos. You can gain insight into what you are likely to encounter. 

3. What is Doctrine of the Mean?

The Doctrine of Mean, also known as the Golden Mean, is a philosophical concept that
originated in ancient Greece and was later developed by Confucius in China. This doctrine
suggests that virtue consists in finding a balance between two extremes or vices.

According to this philosophy, every virtue is a medium between her two opposing vices. For
example, the virtue of courage falls somewhere between cowardice and recklessness. The virtue
of generosity is the middle ground between the vices of greed and waste. Essentially, this
doctrine teaches that both excesses and shortages are detrimental to a virtuous life, and that a
balance must be found between them.
 The doctrine of moderation emphasizes the importance of moderation, self-control and
mindfulness in all aspects of life. It encourages individuals to find balance in their thoughts,
actions, and emotions, rather than yielding to extremes. The goal is to achieve a state of balance
that leads to a virtuous and fulfilling life. 

4. What is Eudaimonia?
Eudaimonia is a Greek term that refers to the concept of human flourishing or well-being. It is
often translated as “happiness” or “contentment,” but it encompasses more than just subjective
feelings of pleasure or satisfaction.

In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle, eudaimonia is seen as the
ultimate goal of human life, achieved through the cultivation of virtues and the pursuit of
excellence. It is not a fleeting emotion, but rather a state of being that arises from living a life
that is fulfilling and meaningful.

Eudaimonia is often contrasted with hedonism, which emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure and
immediate gratification. While pleasure and happiness can be components of eudaimonia, they
are not its sole focus. Instead, eudaimonia is characterized by qualities such as wisdom, courage,
justice, and friendship, which contribute to a deeper and more lasting sense of well-being.

5. What is the Natural Law according to St. Thomas of Aquinas?

Saint Thomas Aquinas was a prominent medieval philosopher and theologian who developed a
philosophical and theological system that integrated Aristotelian and Christian thought. In his
view, natural law is a universal moral law, accessible to all human beings through reason, based
on the idea that all things have a purpose or purpose-determining nature.

For St. Thomas, natural law is a set of principles that govern human behavior and guide people
to act according to their own nature and the nature of the world around them. According to
him, natural law is based on the idea that God created the world and endowed humans with
rational qualities that enable them to discern moral laws through their intellect. Natural laws are
therefore not simply a set of rules imposed by an outside authority, but rather reflect the
inherent order and purpose of the universe. St. Thomas identified four basic rules of natural law.
Sustain life, open paths, seek knowledge and truth, and live in society. He believed that these
principles were self-evident, identifiable by reason, and formed the basis of a universal moral
code applicable to all peoples and cultures. Furthermore, St. Thomas believed that natural laws
pertain not only to the actions of individuals, but also to the way societies are organized and
governed.

Overall, Sacred’s view of the laws of nature.Thomas Aquinas holds that human beings have a
rational nature that enables them to discern the moral order of the universe, and that this order
is reflected in the basic principles that guide human action. I showed the idea that it is.