Read-Virtue Ethics, Aristotle ch. 9 pg.365-400 DQ# 7 write 1-2 pages on virtue Ethics, Due next Friday

Virtue Ethics- defines ethics in terms of the good person/character rather than the right particular act or moral principal.

Socrates>Plato>Aristotle>Alexander the Great

Aristotle-The ideal person is the one with ideal character traits(virtue=excellence")
*traits>arete:Disposition to act in a certain way
*Virtue:is a mean between extremes
(Doctrine of the Golden Mean)
---------------------------------
^ ^ ^ ^
Cowardly mean willing foolish
Trait(vice) to fight (rashness)
Deciding where you fall requires Judgment through experience...E.g. The experienced soldier will recognize the courageous thing to do

Aristotle based his theory on human nature. Human beings have a purpose/function,fulfilling that purpose (function defines success)
(success) (happiness)
Eudaimonia: what every one wants, (success)
*Virtues are character traits which lead to eudaimonia (success, flourishing)
-What makes things successful-
Plants-growth,reproduction
Animals-growth,reproduction,perception,movement
Humans-all of the above + reason