Ancient History

2 — Aristotle's Highest Good

Identify the central tenets of Aristotle's ethics.

Select the statement that represents a central tenet of Aristotle's ethics.

a.)

The virtuous man will be honest at all times, no matter the consequences to himself and others.

b.)

The virtuous man will nurture rational honestly.

c.)

The virtuous man will be honest when it is of benefit to him.

d.)

The virtuous man will act honestly only in public.

a.)Incorrect.

Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean says that virtues must be cultivated as a middle point between two extremes. According to Aristotle, a virtuous man cultivates rational honesty, not excessive honesty.

b.)Correct.

This statement reflects Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean, which says that virtues must be cultivated as a middle point between two extremes.

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3 — Applying Aristotle's Ethics

Apply the central tenets of Aristotle's ethics.

Casey is nervous about his upcoming camping trip because he's afraid of spiders.

According to Aristotle's ethical tenets, what should Casey do to deal with his fear of spiders?

a.)

Casey should immediately squash any spiders he sees.

b.)

Casey should avoid spiders completely.

c.)

Casey should learn to remain calm in the presence of spiders.

d.)

Casey should determine what kind of a thing a spider is.

d.)Incorrect.

Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean, which indicates how humans should cultivate rational behavior, applies in this situation. Determining what kind of a thing a spider is, is not relevant to cultivating courage.

c.)Correct.

This is a correct application of Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean, which says that virtues like courage should be cultivated as a middle point between two extremes.

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4 — Stoicism: The Ethics of Dispassion

Identify, and apply, the central tenets of Stoic ethics.

Stoicism was a school of philosophy that flourished in ancient Rome.Select the example that represents one of the central tenets of Stoicism.

a.)

Ali wishes that she had been an only child, so that she would have received more attention from her parents.

b.)

Eliza chooses a medical treatment that will prolong her life, alhtough it may leave her unable to live well.

c.)

Kendra works hard because she wants to own the largest house in her neighborhood and drive a fancy car.

d.)

Shara decides that she will no longer get angry when customers fail to tip her.

b.)Incorrect.

The Stoics believed that death is not something to be feared, and that living a good life is more important than living a long life. Therefore, Eliza is NOT behaving according to this central tenet of Stoicism.

d.)Correct.

According to Stoicism, we should focus on what we can control, and not concern ourselves with what we can't control. Therefore, Shara is behaving according to a central tenet of Stoicism by responding dispassionately to her customers' oversight.

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