1. What are the key distinctions between an ‘ethics of virtue’ and an ‘ethics of right action’? What would some examples be that we have studied of the ‘ethics of right action’? How is the ‘ethics of virtue’ different? Anscombe’s name comes up again in the discussion. What is her contribution to the difference between these approaches?
2. In your own words, define what a virtue is. Name three virtues not already found on the list on p. 161. Explain why the virtues you listed are important.
3. What are the benefits of a virtue theory of ethics? What problems does it help solve in ethics that seem to have not been solved so far in class? What problems does it have, however?
4. In the first two pages of Aristotle’s Virtues, he has defined happiness. One key part of this definition is his argument for the ‘function of a human being’. This is given on p. 67 and on the first half of p. 68. Do your best to explain his argument below.
5. The ‘goods’ in Aristotle’s description are those things that are good for a human being to enjoy in life. What are the three kinds of goods given on p. 69? Explain how he thinks his definition for happiness satisfies each of these three kinds of goods.
6. Later in the article, Aristotle explains what kinds of virtues there are and how one can attain them. Explain what the two kinds of virtues are and how one can become virtuous.
7. Aristotle thinks virtue is ‘incompatible with excess or deficiency in feelings and actions.’ Using what you read in the article, what do you think he means? What is his point about one can become virtuous?