AristotleAristotle

Human beings have a functionHuman beings have a function

Performing that function well (with virtue) Performing that function well (with virtue) is happinessis happiness

Happiness is an activity of the soul in Happiness is an activity of the soul in accord with virtueaccord with virtue

Practical virtues are habitsPractical virtues are habits

The virtues are the mean between The virtues are the mean between extremesextremes

Aristotle focuses on the question of what Aristotle focuses on the question of what makes a good person. makes a good person.

Actions are going be good or right if they Actions are going be good or right if they are the actions that a good or virtuous are the actions that a good or virtuous person doesperson does

A virtuous person is inclined to act A virtuous person is inclined to act virtuously. They want to act in accord with virtuously. They want to act in accord with the meanthe mean

KantKant

The only thing good in an unqualifed way The only thing good in an unqualifed way is a good willis a good will

Virtues are not good in an unqualified way Virtues are not good in an unqualified way because they can be used for bad because they can be used for bad purposes, e.g. the cool calculating villain.purposes, e.g. the cool calculating villain.

Acting from duty vs. acting in Acting from duty vs. acting in accord with dutyaccord with duty

An action is in accord with duty if it is the An action is in accord with duty if it is the right thing to do.right thing to do.

An action is done from duty if it is done An action is done from duty if it is done because it is the right thing to dobecause it is the right thing to do

Actions done from inclination are not done Actions done from inclination are not done from duty from duty

Categorical imperativeCategorical imperative

Hypothetical imperatives are conditional: Hypothetical imperatives are conditional: Example: stop smoking because you want Example: stop smoking because you want to avoid cancerto avoid cancer

Categorical imperatives are not Categorical imperatives are not conditional. conditional.

Moral duties are those actions that are in Moral duties are those actions that are in keeping with the categorical imperative.keeping with the categorical imperative.

The principle of universalizabilityThe principle of universalizability

An action will be the right thing to do if you An action will be the right thing to do if you can (1) conceive of everyone acting the can (1) conceive of everyone acting the way you are acting and (2) will that way you are acting and (2) will that everyone act in the same way as you do.everyone act in the same way as you do.

Examples: pp. 53-54Examples: pp. 53-54

Second formulation of the Second formulation of the categorical imperativecategorical imperative

Treat other people not merely as a means, Treat other people not merely as a means, but also as an end.but also as an end.

We always use other people, but Kant We always use other people, but Kant thinks its wrong to treat other people just thinks its wrong to treat other people just as instruments, as things to be used for as instruments, as things to be used for other purposes.other purposes.

Kant and AristotleKant and Aristotle

Kant takes as fundamental the notion of duty—Kant takes as fundamental the notion of duty—the right action done from a respect for the moral the right action done from a respect for the moral law. A good person will be one who acts this law. A good person will be one who acts this way (from duty)way (from duty)

Aristotle thinks a good person will do the right Aristotle thinks a good person will do the right thing from inclination. They will want to be thing from inclination. They will want to be virtuous. For Aristotle what is fundamental is virtuous. For Aristotle what is fundamental is what makes a person virtuous, not what makes what makes a person virtuous, not what makes a particular action righta particular action right