Aristotle / Aristotle - Tutorial Preparation Sheet

Lecture 4 – Aristotle

1. Background questions:

1. According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate

end (the final purpose) of all our actions?

2. What is our characteristic activity (ergon)?

3. How are our characteristic activity and our ultimate end related?

4. What is a virtue (arete)?

5. What’s the connection between virtue and happiness (eudaimonia)?

6. How do we acquire virtues?

2. Tutorial discussion questions:

7. Do you agree with Aristotle that everyone really does aim at happiness?

8. In your opinion, do we need wealth to be happy? What is Aristotle’s opinion on this?

9. How would you use the Golden Mean to guide your actions? Give an example.

10. Do you think you can use the Golden Mean as a guide to acting virtuously? Why/why not?

11. Now that we have told you how to be virtuous and why you should be, are you virtuous? Why not? What needs to be done to make you virtuous?