Question 1

Marcus Aurelius defines tranquility as __________.

Accepted Answer

Marcus Aurelius, in his writings, often emphasizes the importance of having a well-ordered mind as essential for achieving tranquility.

Question 2

Aristotle argues that right conduct is the mean between __________.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle's ethical theory is centered on the concept of the "Golden Mean," which posits that virtue lies in finding the mean between two extremes: excess and deficiency. This principle is applied across various virtues and vices, suggesting that moral virtue is achieved by maintaining a balance between too much and too little of a trait or behavior.

Question 3

Aristotle defines "good" as __________.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle defines "good" as "that at which all things aim." He argues that every action and pursuit aims at some good, which is considered the end or purpose of that action or pursuit.

Question 4

Which of the following is most clearly advocated by Aurelius?

Accepted Answer

Aurelius, in his Meditations, emphasizes the Stoic philosophy of focusing on what is within one's control and doing only what is necessary and virtuous, rather than seeking external validation or indulging in unnecessary actions.

Question 5

Aurelius claims that men do wrong involuntarily.

Accepted Answer

Marcus Aurelius, in his Meditations, reflects on the nature of human actions and suggests that people who do wrong do so out of ignorance of what is good, implying that their actions are involuntary in the sense that they stem from a lack of understanding rather than a deliberate intention to do harm.

Question 6

Aurelius claims that tranquility lies in the proper ordering of the mind.

Accepted Answer

Marcus Aurelius, in his work "Meditations," emphasizes that tranquility and peace of mind are achieved through the rational ordering and control of one's thoughts, aligning with Stoic philosophy.

Question 7

If he is right about virtue and happiness and about being "political animals," does it follow that we can only be virtuous in connection with institution, communities, and traditions that are virtuous? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If he is right about virtue and...

Question 8

When Aristotle writes that we are social by nature, the Greek he used is literally that we are "political animals." Do you think that our social and political impulses and orientations go to the essence of what it means to be human? How substantively do you think we are formed by the traditions of our communities--social, economic, political, religious, and other institutions? (Note that Aristotle didn't differentiate between the social and the political as we do. For him, "political" also meant what we mean by "social.")

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Aristotle writes that we are social...

Question 9

As the emperor of Rome, do you think that Marcus Aurelius lived in a way consistent with his meditations? Can a rich powerful person live with the simplicity that he advocates? Would a poor or oppressed person write these meditations? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of As the emperor of Rome, do you...

Question 10

What are the two kinds of virtue Aristotle describes?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle distinguishes between two kinds of virtue: moral virtues, which involve the right disposition towards action and emotion, and intellectual virtues, which involve the excellence of thought.

Question 11

How does Aristotle say we begin to acquire the virtues?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle believed that virtues are acquired through habituation, meaning we develop them by practicing and exercising them in our daily lives.

Question 12

Aristotle thinks that human beings have the proper purpose and goal of happiness, or a flourishing life, and that it is necessarily related to being virtuous. What do you think? Do you think that there are answers to the questions "What are people for?" or "Why are we here?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Aristotle thinks that human beings have the...

Question 13

With which of these meditations do you agree? Why? With which do you disagree? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of With which of these meditations do you...

Question 14

Aurelius was the emperor of Rome.

Accepted Answer

Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, known for his philosophical interests and writings, particularly in Stoicism.

Question 15

Do you see various Stoic virtues in contemporary culture? If so, what are they?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you see various Stoic virtues in...

Question 16

Aristotle thinks that virtue is often (not always) found someplace between the vice of extremity and the vice of deficiency and that sometimes we should incline ourselves toward either extremity or deficiency to become more virtuous. Do you think that this is a helpful way to describe virtue? Explain. Can you think of a better way?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Aristotle thinks that virtue is often (not...

Question 17

Aristotle agues, that properly speaking, children cannot be said to be happy.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle argues that happiness (eudaimonia) is achieved through a life of virtuous activity in accordance with reason, and since children are not yet capable of such activities, they cannot be said to be truly happy in the fullest sense.

Question 18

MacIntyre argues that a unity of character and a unity of narrative are necessary for a coherent moral life.

Accepted Answer

Alasdair MacIntyre, in his work "After Virtue," argues that for an individual to lead a coherent moral life, there must be a unity of character and a unity of narrative, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's life as a coherent story that embodies certain virtues.

Question 19

Which of the following counts as a practice, according to MacIntyre?

Accepted Answer

According to Alasdair MacIntyre, a practice is a complex, coherent, and socially established human activity through which goods internal to that form of activity are realized in the course of trying to achieve those standards of excellence which are appropriate to, and partially definitive of, that form of activity. Playing chess fits this description as it is a complex activity with its own standards of excellence and internal goods, such as strategic thinking and understanding of the game, which are achieved through the practice of playing chess. Tic-tac-toe, planting turnips, and throwing a football might not meet the criteria of complexity and the pursuit of internal goods to the same extent as chess does in MacIntyre's framework.

Question 20

Do you agree with Aristotle that we learn to be virtuous (and vicious) and that we form moral and immoral habits by acting morally or immorally? He thinks that attaining virtue is rather difficult ("there are many ways to go bad," he writes elsewhere). Do you agree? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you agree with Aristotle that we...

Quiz 3: Flourishing