Question 1

What is the doctrine of the mean? Offer your own example of a virtue that can be modeled on this doctrine and an example of one that cannot be adequately modeled.

Accepted Answer

The doctrine of the mean is a concept from Aristotle's ethical theory, which suggests that virtue is a balance between two extremes. It teaches that the virtuous way is the middle way between excess and deficiency. For example, courage is the mean between rashness and cowardice.

An example of a virtue that can be modeled on this doctrine is honesty. Being honest means finding the balance between being brutally blunt and being overly secretive. It involves speaking the truth in a respectful and considerate manner.

On the other hand, a virtue that cannot be adequately modeled on the doctrine of the mean is compassion. Compassion is not about finding a middle ground between being indifferent and being overly emotional. It is about genuinely caring for others and showing empathy without reservation. Therefore, it does not fit neatly into the framework of the doctrine of the mean.

Question 2

The virtuous person not only does the right thing, but she does the right thing in the right way.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Some critics of the psychology behind virtue ethics claim that

Accepted Answer

A)  it can only be said to apply to some people, not all. 
B)  it overstates the stability of human character traits. 
C)  it is based on a mistaken view of human happiness. 
D)  it makes insufficient room for personal ties and loyalties. 
A)  it can only be said to apply to some people, not all. 
B)  it overstates the stability of human character traits. 
C)  it is based on a mistaken view of human happiness. 
D)  it makes insufficient room for personal ties and loyalties. B

Question 4

Aristotle held that good human beings

Accepted Answer

A)  puts the needs of others before her own. 
B)  embodies all the excellences of human character. 
C)  obeys the will of the Gods. 
D)  devotes her life to the careful study of philosophy. 
A)  puts the needs of others before her own. 
B)  embodies all the excellences of human character. 
C)  obeys the will of the Gods. 
D)  devotes her life to the careful study of philosophy.

Question 5

To have a virtue, one must have a stable character trait.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

One objection to virtue ethics holds that it is alienating.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Virtue ethics has been criticized for relying on a view of character traits that is psychologically unsound.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Driver notes that sometimes, to decide what to do, we first

Accepted Answer

A)  consult our intuitions. 
B)  reflect on our deeply held convictions. 
C)  consider how we ought to be. 
D)  consider how we ought to appear. 
A)  consult our intuitions. 
B)  reflect on our deeply held convictions. 
C)  consider how we ought to be. 
D)  consider how we ought to appear.

Question 9

One who is continent is perfectly virtuous.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Bravery is a virtue that

Accepted Answer

A)  lies between cowardice and foolhardiness. 
B)  only traditional virtue ethicists value. 
C)  is useful and highly prized. 
D)  requires that one always face fear without hesitation. 
A)  lies between cowardice and foolhardiness. 
B)  only traditional virtue ethicists value. 
C)  is useful and highly prized. 
D)  requires that one always face fear without hesitation.

Question 11

The objection that virtue ethics is not action guiding

Accepted Answer

A)  has not been taken seriously by virtue ethicists. 
B)  is a problem for any moral theory. 
C)  has long been a standard objection to the view. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  has not been taken seriously by virtue ethicists. 
B)  is a problem for any moral theory. 
C)  has long been a standard objection to the view. 
D)  None of the above

Question 12

The doctrine of the mean holds that

Accepted Answer

A)  virtue is a mean state, lying between two opposed vices. 
B)  happiness is a mean state, lying between two opposed extremes. 
C)  to be morally good one must never be mean. 
D)  the act most people would perform in a given circumstance is that which is right. 
A)  virtue is a mean state, lying between two opposed vices. 
B)  happiness is a mean state, lying between two opposed extremes. 
C)  to be morally good one must never be mean. 
D)  the act most people would perform in a given circumstance is that which is right.

Question 13

A person who is continent

Accepted Answer

A)  cannot control her actions but knows right from wrong. 
B)  does not know right from wrong but can control her actions. 
C)  knows right from wrong and can bring herself to do the right thing. 
D)  has learned the virtues by studying others. 
A)  cannot control her actions but knows right from wrong. 
B)  does not know right from wrong but can control her actions. 
C)  knows right from wrong and can bring herself to do the right thing. 
D)  has learned the virtues by studying others.

Question 14

When one's feelings harmonize with what one judges to be right, one is virtuous.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Aristotle is a famous ancient opponent of virtue ethics.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Virtue ethics asks that we consider how to be when deciding what to do.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

One objection to virtue ethics Driver considers is that the theory

Accepted Answer

A)  demands too much of individuals. 
B)  does not account for the importance of rational agency. 
C)  does not guide action. 
D)  is intuitively implausible. 
A)  demands too much of individuals. 
B)  does not account for the importance of rational agency. 
C)  does not guide action. 
D)  is intuitively implausible.

Question 18

Like Mill, virtue ethicists believe there is always only one right action.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

To possess a virtue, one must

Accepted Answer

A)  have a certain stable character trait. 
B)  have knowledge of certain vices. 
C)  be born virtuous. 
D)  always consider the consequences of one's actions. 
A)  have a certain stable character trait. 
B)  have knowledge of certain vices. 
C)  be born virtuous. 
D)  always consider the consequences of one's actions.

Question 20

The virtuous person does the right thing and is happy to do so. It comes easily. The "continent" person does the right thing, but it requires effort. Should we think more of the person that wants to be moral or the person who overcomes a desire not to be moral?

Accepted Answer

Both the virtuous person and the contine

Exam 17: Virtue Ethics Julia Driver

What is the doctrine of the mean? Offer your own example of a virtue that can be modeled on this doctrine and an example of one that cannot be adequately modeled.

The virtuous person not only does the right thing, but she does the right thing in the right way.

Some critics of the psychology behind virtue ethics claim that

Aristotle held that good human beings

To have a virtue, one must have a stable character trait.

One objection to virtue ethics holds that it is alienating.

Virtue ethics has been criticized for relying on a view of character traits that is psychologically unsound.

Driver notes that sometimes, to decide what to do, we first

One who is continent is perfectly virtuous.

Bravery is a virtue that

The objection that virtue ethics is not action guiding

The doctrine of the mean holds that

A person who is continent

When one's feelings harmonize with what one judges to be right, one is virtuous.

Aristotle is a famous ancient opponent of virtue ethics.

Virtue ethics asks that we consider how to be when deciding what to do.

One objection to virtue ethics Driver considers is that the theory

Like Mill, virtue ethicists believe there is always only one right action.

To possess a virtue, one must

The virtuous person does the right thing and is happy to do so. It comes easily. The "continent" person does the right thing, but it requires effort. Should we think more of the person that wants to be moral or the person who overcomes a desire not to be moral?

Morality and Moral Philosophy Wiliam K Frankena

Crito Plato

Phaedo Plato

Subjectivism Julia Driver

God and Morality Steven M.Cahn

The Challenge of Cultural Relativism James Rachels

Right and Wrong Thomas Nagel

Egoism and Moral Skepticism James Rachels

Happiness and Immorality Steven M.Cahn and Jeffrie G Murphy

The Nature of Ethical Disagreement Charles L Stevenson

The Rationality of Moral Action Philippa Foot

The Categorical Imperative Immanuel Kant

A Simplified Account of Kants Ethics Onora Oneill

Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill

Contemporary Utilitarianism Julia Driver

The Nature of Virtue Aristotle

The Ethics of Care Virginia Held

The Social Contract Thomas Hobbes

A Theory of Justice John Rawls

Gender Bias Cheshire Calhoun

Famine, Affluence, and Morality Peter Singer

A Reply to Singer Travis Timmerman

Rights, Obligations, and World Hunger Onora Oneill

The Case for Limits David Miller

A Right to Immigrate Michael Hummer

Racisms Kwame Anthony Appiah

Sexism Ann E Cudd and Leslie E Jones

Five Faces of Oppression Iris Marion Young

The Morality of Reparation Bernard Boxill

Reparation and the Problem of Agency Chandran Kukathas

Offers and Coercion Nancy Tuana

Consensual Sex on Campus Leslie Pickering Francis

Sexual Harassment in the University N Ann Davis

Sexual Harassment in Public Places Margaret Crouch

Value and the Gift of Sexuality Elisabeth Anderson

Taking Money for Bodily Services Martha C Nussbaum

Markets in Womens Sexual Labor Debra Satz

Equality for Animals Peter Singer

Speciesism and the Idea of Equality Bonnie Steinbock

Getting Animals in View Christine Korsgaard

Speaking of Animal Rights Mary Anne Warren

Philosophical Problems for Environmentalism Elliott Sober

Ethics and Global Change Dale Jamieson

A Defense of Abortion Judith Jarvis Thomson

On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion Mary Anne Warren

Why Abortion Is Immoral Don Marquis

Virtue Theory and Abortion Rosalind Hursthouse

Active and Passive Euthanasia James Rachels

The Intentional Termination Fo Life Bonnie Steinbock

The Meaning of Life Richard Taylor

Meaning in Life Susan Wolf

Meaningful Lives Christine Vitrano

The Trolley Problem Judith Jarvis Thomson

Turning the Trolley Judith Jarvis Thomson

Moral Saints Susan Wolf

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