Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. In what ways
does the Greek concept of
eudaimonia differ from
our own concept of happiness?
2. What is Aristotle’s
Doctrine of the Mean? In what ways is it different from the Christian
conception of virtue?
3. How does Aristotle
define moral responsibility? Why does he not define free will? How
might he define free will?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. How does Aristotle’s list
of virtues and vices differ from our modern conceptions of vice
and virtue? How might we determine which is better: Aristotle’s
system or our own?
2. What is distributive justice?
What are the pros and cons of this form of justice?
3. What is the role of practical
wisdom, or phronesis? How does it mediate between
the moral virtues and the intellectual virtues?
4. What is incontinence, or akrasia?
How can a person know what is right and still do what is wrong?
5. Why is friendship so important
to Aristotle?
6. What is ethical egoism? Do
you agree with Aristotle’s endorsement of it? Why or why not?
7. What, according to Aristotle,
is the supreme human activity? What arguments does he give for this
position?
