Assignment:
Reference: books III and IV in Aristotle's Ethics, Nietzsche.
Please type all answers, except for any necessary drawings or diagrams, e.g., of Aristotle's virtues. You may leave some white space there and hand draw them.
1.What is Nietzsche's view of ethics? How does he form that view, that is, what does he seem to criticize in other views of ethics, and why does he make those criticisms? Do you think his views have any viability? What is his relevance for us today? Please explain your response.
2. What is Aristotle's definition of virtue, both in virtue's genus and in its differentia (or species)? (Please be thorough and give the full definition.) Next, give the full diagram and description for the virtue that corresponds with anger, explaining the diagram's various details. Next apply it to some situation, i.e., how would a virtuous person express his or her anger?
3. What is Aristotle's view of the differences between voluntary and involuntary actions? What are a couple of things Aristotle says that can make an action involuntary? If an unjust king commanded you to commit murder while threatening your family, what do you think Aristotle would advise you to do, and why? Would he say the action is voluntary or involuntary? Do you agree with Aristotle? Why or why not? Please keep in mind what our moral heroes this semester would likely do as well.
4. What is the diagram for the virtue courage? What are the five qualities similar to courage? Why does Aristotle think each only resembles courage but, in fact, are not true courage? What is Aristotle's position on what form or kind of courage exemplifies courage the most? (I.e., What sort of courage does he think is the highest form of courage?) Is he right? Which form of courage do you think is highest? What is the alternative diagram for courage we discussed in class? Explain your answer in detail, and give your best argument.
5. This question is required, and, in a sense, is the one question on the exam that is a bit comprehensive. You remember your paper on happiness from the beginning of the semester. Now, with the entire semester behind you, revise that paper, and once again answer the question: What is happiness?
Though I assigned book four, section three in Aristotle, we did not get around to discussing it. That section deals with the virtue of magnanimity, or high-mindedness. How does Aristotle define this virtue? What are its conditions one must meet if one is to possess this virtue? How would you diagram it? What might Nietzsche think of this virtue? Does it contrast with the Christian virtue of humility? Do you think high-mindedness is a virtue? Please explain your responses.
This question is an exploration type question. What idea, or application of an idea, did you find most intriguing this semester? Lay that idea out thoroughly. Is it an idea you strongly agree with, or strongly disagree with, or something suggestive of a deep problem you find interesting? Is it a question that was asked at some point during the semester? Just lay the idea out as best you can and discuss it argumentatively. E.g., (and I am not trying to single any students out here, nor am I trying to exclude anyone here at all, but just giving examples that actually happened this semester) Chantal asked the question: can one lose one's virtue? Great question.Something good to explore. Matthew asked a couple of interesting questions at certain points, one: what is the verb or action of virtue? Two, what really is desire for Kant? Adam last night did a great job of questioning this notion that one must be virtuous in general in order to have any specific virtue. Lisa and I discussed applying Aristotle's notion of courage to a couple of films-The Hunger Games and Gladiator. (We also applied Kant as well.) These are just a few examples from this semester. Please don't feel left out if I don't mention you specifically here. I'm sure each of you has one or more ideas of this sort that has really grabbed you, so use this as an opportunity to express yourself and lay out a serious opinion supported by text and argument.