Question 1

According to Aristotle,the virtuous agent must give up earthly pleasures and devote oneself to a life of quiet contemplation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

Why is a proper education so important for Aristotle's theory?

Accepted Answer

A)   in order for the wisdom of a society to be passed well onto the next generation
B)   because agents must be healthy in body as well as mind
C)   so that someone knows the right action and takes pleasure in it
D)   to serve as a purposeful distraction from the chaos of adolescence C

Question 3

The chapter contrasts Aristotle's belief that material wealth makes it easier to flourish with the Christian tradition that the impoverished are blessed.Do you believe that economic status-of either extreme-has an impact on one's ability to become virtuous?

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary.A sufficient answer should/might discuss Aristotle's reasoning for external impacts on happiness,the Judeo-Christian understanding of reward deferred until an afterlife,and a position on which is correct.

Question 4

In Greek legends the twins Kleobis and Biton are celebrated for having died at the right moment.They had finished pulling their mother in a cart to a religious temple,had a feast,laid down to rest,and both died.Their deaths are perhaps in keeping with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   ethos
B)   etymology
C)   eupatheia
D)   eudaimonia

Question 5

Which of the following is an attribute of the virtuous person according to Aristotle?

Accepted Answer

A)   reacts instinctively to resolve a problem
B)   deliberates well to see salient features of the situation
C)   follows correct moral rules
D)   does not respond emotionally to moral dilemmas

Question 6

What do the Greeks mean by phronesis?

Accepted Answer

A)   practical wisdom
B)   love of wisdom
C)   substantive change/corruption
D)   something that instills belief/faith

Question 7

Consider the case of someone like Stephen Hawking,a brilliant physicist who has been largely paralyzed by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease).Which of the following MOST closely aligns with what Aristotle calls the common understanding of happiness?

Accepted Answer

A)   He is incapable of becoming truly happy.
B)   His scientific success replaces the loss of mobility.
C)   His paralysis hampers his ability to flourish.
D)   His paralysis assists in his ability to flourish.

Question 8

Aristotle's view of morality is similar to Kant's in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

A)   He uses the golden mean as a formula or procedure for making moral decisions,much like Kant uses the categorical imperative.
B)   Like Kant,Aristotle says morality requires "acting from duty."
C)   They both approach moral theorizing as a way of discovering how to live "a good human life."
D)   They are not similar because Kant provides a moral theory;strictly speaking,Aristotle does not.

Question 9

In the realm of morality,Aristotle is MOSTLY concerned with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   what sort of actions we should take
B)   what sort of people we should be
C)   the nature of wrong actions
D)   how to resolve moral dilemmas

Question 10

How does Hursthouse come to her position that abortion reveals a situation with objective truth but subjective positionality?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does Hursthouse come to her position...

Question 11

Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment in the early 1960s that examined a person's obedience in performing an action that would generally be considered wrong.(The experiment involved the appearance of electroshocking another individual. )The experiment found that a high number of people would act against their conscience if directed to do so by an authority figure.Discuss the implications of this study on Aristotle's understanding of moral character.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment in the...

Question 12

Imagine that Aristotle is coaching Porter the bridle-maker on what it means to live a complete life.Which of the following would Aristotle say is Porter's ultimate function?

Accepted Answer

A)   making bridles
B)   flourishing
C)   horsemanship
D)   artistry

Question 13

The chapter examines Aristotle's belief that some people are "slaves by nature." Briefly explain his argument and why Wolff finds it to be invalid.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The chapter examines Aristotle's belief that some...

Question 14

Imagine that you were to serve as trainer to Milo of Croton,a famous wrestler in the ancient world.Of particular importance is that,given his extensive training,Milo receives the proper amount of food to sustain his athletic activities.According to Aristotle,how would you best determine Milo's nutritional needs?

Accepted Answer

A)   by consulting with the scholars at the Academy
B)   by asking Milo how much food he would prefer
C)   through consideration of what other athletes eat
D)   by examining how much is too little and too much for Milo,then aiming for a middle point

Question 15

Imagine that Clara is outgoing and friendly.Which of the following is Aristotle's MOST likely take on her character?

Accepted Answer

A)   Her friendliness does not provide an advantage in attaining virtue.
B)   Her friendliness does provide an advantage in attaining virtue.
C)   She will be unable to attain virtuousness.
D)   She has already attained virtuousness.

Question 16

It is important for Aristotle that an ethical agent's education be as free from error as possible.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 12: Virtue Ethics: Aristotle