PHIL101 Study Guide Questions with Verified
Correct Answers
For Aristotle what is the difference between intellectual and moral virtues?
Intellectual virtues: excellences of mind; acquired by inheritance and education.
Moral Virtues: acquired by repetition or practice
What sorts of intellectual virtues are there and how do people come to acquire them?
Philosophical wisdom; practical wisdom: knowing how to live life and achieve goals.
How do people cultivate moral virtues?
Examples of moral virtues
virtue is a habit, done naturally and easily; ex. courage, modesty, justice, truthfulness,
friendliness.
What does Aristotle mean by "happiness" (eudaimonia)?
Happiness or "eudaimonia" meaning long term well being or human flourishing.
What is the function of a human being?
The function of a human is to use reason in pursuit of a good life.
What material goods or circumstances are also necessary for someone's happiness?
External goods: wisdom, health, luck, wealth, etc.
What is the ultimate end toward which all our actions are aimed, "telos"?
To live a happy life. virtuous life> good life> happy life
What characteristics did Aristotle recognize as virtues?
, Aristotle's virtues: courage, justice, friendliness, modesty, liberality, aspiration, pride,
temperance, wittiness.
How are these sets of virtues generally characteristic of and valued by certain groups of
people?
These virtues are mostly recognized by aristocratic, wealthy males during war times
Why is a person who is painfully following his or her conscience not thereby virtuous,
according to Aristotle?
Because they are having to work for it. Work hard enough it becomes second nature. Saints
are inherently good, no second guessing = virtuous.
According to Aristotle, would a moral ideal have to fight off temptation and struggle to
be good?
If you were really good, you would not even be tempted. Does right thing without much
struggle; easy, natural, spontaneous.
"Men come to be builders, for instance, by building; harp-players, by playing on the
harp." What does Aristotle mean by this quote and what is its significance to moral
virtue (Nicomachean Ethics)?
Aristotle means by acting in relations that we are thrown, some come to be just and some
come to be unjust. Moral virtue can be learned through practice until it becomes habit.
Follow good role models and follow the golden mean.
How is choosing the mean relative to the individual and not to be calculated by some
arithmetical proportion (Nicomachean Ethics)?
The mean for everyone is going to be different because everyone is different
Correct Answers
For Aristotle what is the difference between intellectual and moral virtues?
Intellectual virtues: excellences of mind; acquired by inheritance and education.
Moral Virtues: acquired by repetition or practice
What sorts of intellectual virtues are there and how do people come to acquire them?
Philosophical wisdom; practical wisdom: knowing how to live life and achieve goals.
How do people cultivate moral virtues?
Examples of moral virtues
virtue is a habit, done naturally and easily; ex. courage, modesty, justice, truthfulness,
friendliness.
What does Aristotle mean by "happiness" (eudaimonia)?
Happiness or "eudaimonia" meaning long term well being or human flourishing.
What is the function of a human being?
The function of a human is to use reason in pursuit of a good life.
What material goods or circumstances are also necessary for someone's happiness?
External goods: wisdom, health, luck, wealth, etc.
What is the ultimate end toward which all our actions are aimed, "telos"?
To live a happy life. virtuous life> good life> happy life
What characteristics did Aristotle recognize as virtues?
, Aristotle's virtues: courage, justice, friendliness, modesty, liberality, aspiration, pride,
temperance, wittiness.
How are these sets of virtues generally characteristic of and valued by certain groups of
people?
These virtues are mostly recognized by aristocratic, wealthy males during war times
Why is a person who is painfully following his or her conscience not thereby virtuous,
according to Aristotle?
Because they are having to work for it. Work hard enough it becomes second nature. Saints
are inherently good, no second guessing = virtuous.
According to Aristotle, would a moral ideal have to fight off temptation and struggle to
be good?
If you were really good, you would not even be tempted. Does right thing without much
struggle; easy, natural, spontaneous.
"Men come to be builders, for instance, by building; harp-players, by playing on the
harp." What does Aristotle mean by this quote and what is its significance to moral
virtue (Nicomachean Ethics)?
Aristotle means by acting in relations that we are thrown, some come to be just and some
come to be unjust. Moral virtue can be learned through practice until it becomes habit.
Follow good role models and follow the golden mean.
How is choosing the mean relative to the individual and not to be calculated by some
arithmetical proportion (Nicomachean Ethics)?
The mean for everyone is going to be different because everyone is different
