Classical Leadership Theory in Action (6-8 pages)
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834LessonTHREEARISTOTLENEandRhetoric20182.pptx
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Who was Aristotle? (387- 321 BC)
Greek thinker/philosopher from Athens (born in Stagira)
After Aristotle studied under Plato, he later taught at The Academy.
Aristotle taught Alexander the Great.
Aristotle established his own academy named the Parapetics.
Aristotle is widely known for the syllogism. An argument that makes connections between two truths to arrive at a third truth.
Aristotle believed the three superior types of government are: monarchy, aristocracy and constitutional republic.
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Who was Aristotle? (Slide 2)
After studying under Plato for approximately 20 years, Aristotle established his own academy called the Lyceum.
His teaching focused on the use of empirical methodology to determine universal principles or “forms”.
Aristotle wrote across a vast scope of topics which include biology, politics, drama, and physics.
Aristotle approached the study of ethics using a biological model to categorize ideas i.e. taxonomy.
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Who was Aristotle?
Aristotle had tremendous respected for Plato, but had different ideas on a number of Plato’s notions/theories.
He disagreed with the idea of eliminating private property and breaking apart the family unit.
Aristotle believed justice is reflected in people getting what they deserve.
Aristotle believed that art was of value and that art was more than a dim representation of reality. He saw art as a way to elevate and present an ideal of reality.
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Who was Aristotle? (Slide 3)
The foundation of his moral theory is virtue or excellence.
The Nicomachean Ethics focuses on two sets of virtues:
1)moral virtues: cardinal virtues (justice, courage, temperance, and prudence)
2) intellectual virtues: speculative wisdom and practical wisdom
Aristotle believes that these virtues are vital in themselves and necessary for a happy life.
Nicomachean Ethics is a treatise composed of ten books.
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Three Classifications of Classical Philosophy
Ethics- the study of how one should live. What is good? What is right?
Epistemology – the study of what knowledge is.
Metaphysics (ontology) – the study of existence; asks, What is?
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Nicomachean Ethics (1) (slide 1)
Aristotle wrote Nicomachean Ethics as a treatise.
Although a treatise is not as engaging as a dialogue, it may offer more clarity and a more direct approach.
Consists of ten books
Considers questions such as, what is the goal of human life?
Ultimately, Aristotle asserts, our actions are driven by what will makes us happy.
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Nicomachean Ethics Key Ideas (2)
Focus on the character of the person more so than the actions
Therefore, one’s education and upbringing are vital to learning virtue.
Aristotle asks:
What is best for one to have a good life?
How do we realize happiness?
Response:
Happiness is dependent upon having virtue
Virtue is an inherent quality of an individual
The presence of virtue drives “good” (reasoned) behavior and motivations.
Virtue exists between the two extremes of excess and deprivation
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Nicomachean Ethics (3)
Human beings pursue happiness (fulfillment) as the goal of life.
The Central Notion of Ethics is virtue.
What is virtue?
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Nicomachean Ethics (4)
Two types of “goods”
Genuine goods – satisfying and beneficial to us, worth wanting
Apparent goods – things we desire, but not beneficial, fools gold
Happiness is having a good spirit and happiness will lead to activities. Lists certain material possessions as necessary for happiness as well.
What is it that we desire for its own sake? Happiness. We may desire other things that lead to happiness; a means to that end of being happy.
Aristotle refers to virtue as the “mean between the extremes” (1107a 1-5); known as the “golden mean”.
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What is Virtue? Books I-IV (5)
Aristotle states that the virtue of a thing is the excellence associated with it.
Virtue can mean something doing what it is intended to do well.
Virtue is necessary for happiness
A driving question of Nicomachean Ethics: What is the human activity that is excellent? What is the common thread of excellence?
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What is Virtue? Books I-IV (6)
Aristotle admits that virtue is imperfect.
He notes that even if someone possesses virtue, may undergo severe hardships. Virtue does not guarantee happiness.
Uses King Priam (Greek mythology – The Iliad) to illustrate the idea of imperfect virtue.
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What is Virtue? Books I-IV (7)
Aristotle is recognized for conceiving the notion of “moral virtue”’
Classifies virtue into two categories:
Moral: excellence of character.
Intellectual/Contemplative: the excellence of our reasoning minds
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What is Virtue? Books I-IV (8)
If one becomes just or moderate by acting just or moderate, must you not already be just or moderate?
To be considered virtuous:
Act with knowledge of what you are doing
You choose to act
Deliberately – not by happenstance or on a whim
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What is Virtue? Books I-IV (9)
Aristotle says that “happiness, above all else, is held to be ; for this we choose always for itself and never for the sake of something else” (1097b, line 1)
Asserts that happiness is a state of self-sufficiency. :From the point of view of self -sufficiency the same result seems to follow; for the final good is thought to be self-sufficient” (1097b line 8)
He asserts that all human activities aim to do good, but some goods are subordinate to others.
The purpose of life should be an end to itself not a means to some other end.
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Aristotle refers to virtue as the “mean between the extremes”; the “golden mean”.
Arete’ : virtue or excellence
Eudaimonia: happiness, fulfillment, fluorishing
Phronesis: practical or ethical wisdom
Virtue: The Golden Mean (10)
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Focus on the character of the person more so than the actions
Therefore, one’s education and upbringing are vital to learning virtue.
Aristotle asks:
What is best for one to have a good life?
How do we realize happiness?
Response:
Happiness is dependent upon having virtue
Virtue is a quality of an individual – not what we do.
The presence of virtue drives “good” (reasoned) behavior and motivations.
Virtue exists between the two extremes of excess and deprivation
Nicomachean Ethics Key Ideas (11)
.
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Nicomachean Ethics Key Ideas (12)
Aristotle explains virtues (habits of the soul) lie at the mean between the extremes of excess and deficiency.
Courage is advancing even if filled with fear
Temperance is self restraint and governance of physical pleasures
Responsible money/resource management
Proper Ambition
Magnanimity: having and bestowing honor
Patience - slow to anger
Truthfulness
The virtuous life is governed by reason and self control
Virtuous acts are deliberate and purposeful.
Virtue is learned through practice – individualized
Virtues are driven by good character
One can only be considered virtuous if the demonstrate all of the virtues. The good character drives all virtues, not just a select few.
Nicomachean Ethics Key Ideas (13)
NE Terms (14)
Good: In general, whatever is desirable; see genuine good and apparent good.
Happiness: The goal of human life because it is self-sufficient and desirable in and of itself. Happiness consists of a life of virtue, including certain necessary material conditions, such as, health, adequate wealth to live independently and not to have to struggle to make ends meet, and a good reputation.
Mean: The apex of excellence (not merely an average) between extremes of excess and deficiency in a given sphere. When one regularly chooses the mean, one has virtue.
Moral Virtue: A developed or acquired behavior of excellence at choosing the mean between the extremes with regard to action or emotion.
Intellectual Virtue: A developed (acquired) habit of excellence in rationality, using one’s mind. Aristotle notes there are five primary virtues: wisdom, science, understanding, art, and prudence (practical wisdom).
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NE Terms (15)
Continence: The quality of a person who does not have a habit of acting virtuously but who can still manage to do the right thing after (sometimes significant) internal struggle.
Deontology: Greek term deon that means “necessary”), ethical theory Primarily concern with duty and obligation.
Ethics: Morality, philosophy that is focused on morality, questions of good and bad, right and wrong.
Incontinence: Self-restraint. The weakness a person has (not vice) to do the right thing.
Virtue: A developed behavior or habit of excellence at something; see moral virtue and intellectual virtue.
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Lesson Three Complete
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