Aristotle & Virtue Theory: Crash Course Philosophy #38
Published on Dec 5, 2016
This week we explore final ethical theory in this unit: Aristotle’s virtue theory. Hank explains the Golden Mean, and how it exists as the midpoint between vices of excess and deficiency. We’ll also discuss moral exemplars, and introduce the concept of “eudaimonia.”
Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy #36
Published on Nov 21, 2016
Our next stop in our tour of the ethical lay of the land is utilitarianism. With a little help from Batman, Hank explains the principle of utility, and the difference between act and rule utilitarianism.
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed these videos! I think watching Crash Course really helps me understand topics a lot easier. I had heard about Aristotle before, but I did not know much about him. The video made it very easy to learn about him.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Gonzalez
PID: 5920420
My favorite part about this crash course was the concept that "actions should be measured in terms of happiness, or pleasure, that they produce." That is so true! The majority of the time, people work for something in order to be happy. In reality, this is often a difficult goal to live by, but it's so worthwhile--especially when we work to help make others happy along the way.
ReplyDeleteLourdes Madrigal
5921427
I found this chapter to be one of the most interesting. Out of these 2 videos, the virtue theory one really caught my eye. Virtue theory revolves around "the perfect self". Aristotle believed that virtuous people existed, it doesn't tell you what to do but instead it focuses on being good people so that good things can happen thereafter.
ReplyDeleteMelany Sanchez
PID 5063302
This chapter actually came out as very interesting to me. I enjoyed watching both videos but the one that got my attention the most was the virtue theory one. Aristotle had the belief that virtuous people existed and he focused a lot on the “perfect self”. It doesn't tell you exactly what to do. What it does is it focuses on being good people for now, doing your part as a human being, so that good things can happen after that. That is something I do stand for and believe in a lot, so I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteMatheus Coelho
#5705161
These videos were particularly interesting because I had never heard much about these theories before. Aristotle theory of Virtue really caught my attention because to be a good person there are no particular rules to follow, just merely trying to be a good person is enough an will give out great results. Doing good to others, and will always bring good back.
ReplyDeleteLuis Garcia B.
PID: 5754979
I think it is clear that humans aren't perfect and always need to have a certain amount of experience on a situation in order to act in accordance to the event. Aristotle's theory of virtue describes that idea perfectly. It is a bit vague in the sense that it can be twisted and turned to make you act a certain way even by the smallest details which keeps me puzzled but the consensus it gives is wise.
ReplyDeleteI love that the Crash course video shows how virtue theory focuses on he individual. It really opened my eyes to how easy it is to get caught up in what someone else has and the constant comparison. It made me realize that it doesn't have to be a set amount in tithe or how you much you do, as long as it was a solid effort from you. Though to some it may be a small act but in reality it could have been your last dollar you donated.
ReplyDeleteIt's curious how we all function to seek pleasure or avoid pain. To Epicurus, we should always do what makes us happy; However, the dilemma that arises with this hedonistic thinking is that many times what we think makes us happy, only does in the short term. Eating that whole pizza may make you happy in the moment, but if we always indulge since it makes us 'happy' then this pursuit of pleasure will inevitably lead to our downfall.
ReplyDeleteKyle Peche
PID: 5865833
I absolutely love these crash course videos. I learn so much from them. He gives good examples by connecting it to current things like batman. These videos basically are about how to be the best person you could be whether thats based off the virtuous theory or utilitarianism.
ReplyDeleteSydney Garcia
5698560
These crash course videos are the best at explaining topics that I don't fully understand. This video completely explains how Aristotle believed that virtuous people exist. It also explains how utilitarian moral theory means a person who sits back and lets a bad thing happen they are just as bad as the person who did the bad act.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Salazar
5858656
I love how this crash course really breaks down how one can become a virtuous person. Aristotle believed that the way one becomes a virtuous person is by watching someone that already is virtuous. These type of people that already show these characteristics are known as moral exemplars. So once we learn how to be a better person, then it will become more natural. I love this mindset because it is true, as one watches, one learns. This is exactly what Aristotle was trying to show. After a while, being virtuous will become an effortless act for you. I learned a lot from watching this video.
ReplyDeleteAdriana Ramirez
5926737
These crash courses help so much in simplifying and further elaborating the concepts spoken about in class. Aristotle's virtue ethics is very interesting as it describes being virtuous as rather ambiguous so long as it follows the basic idea of not being excessive. Oftentimes we forget that too much of something is just as bad as too little of something-may it be an overly confident person who would be considered arrogant which would be the equivalent to an individual who lacks any confidence and thus, may project insecurities onto others. This is something we should all keep in mind and practice virtuous/charismatic behavior in our daily lives as we make the choices we are confronted with.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching these videos. Crash course videos really helps to break down the information and make it easier to understand.
ReplyDeletepanther ID: 5820958
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe first video explains that Aristotle says that virtuous people exist; it is better to be virtuous than ambiguos.
ReplyDeleteUtilitarianism says that we should do good, that leads to pleasure not only for ourselves, but for the great majority as well; it is not an egoistic theory since it not only focus in your own happiness.
It means that your interests, dreams or goals are important, but not more than the others' longings. Something that I do not agree with since I believe we should always try our best to accomplish what we desire, and then consider the other people's goals. It might sound selfish, but we can always find a a balance between us and the others.
I really enjoy watching these crash courses as they help me further understand the material. I've always found Aristotle to be a very interesting topic of discussion.
ReplyDeleteOnce again another wonderful crash course video by the Green brothers. Truly enjoyed.
ReplyDeletePID: 5238764
The Aristotle and Virtue theory was something that I'd never heard of before. I was confused about it so I looked into a bit. I discovered that the Virtue theory is sort of a karmic theory. Those who live a good life doing and honoring good deeds have good headed their way. Aristotle similar to Utilitarianism believes in the power of good. In doing good we also foster a nature that is conditioned to continuing to do good. It becomes a second nature. The same could go for doing bad.
ReplyDeleteAristotle said that a virtuous people are the ones that develop a good ability to face life in the right way, do the right things, and be the best person you can be. But you also can be bad at being good. This happens when you exceed some good virtue like honesty or generosity. Everything in a balance is good, which is the "golden mean" (the perfect amount of a virtue). I agree with this in the sense that I also think that everything in excess is bad.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Schmatz ID 6023372
On the second video we can see that Utilitarianism basically says "the intentions don't count, just the results". I don't agree with this because you can do something bad to make someone happy like for example killing somebody, and that doesn't make it a good action. I think that good actions should be measured by a balance between the intentions and the results.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Schmatz ID 6023372
I liked these videos because I am currently taking a Philosophy class, and Aristotle and his Virtue Theory was a highlight of the class. It was basically a belief that people receive good things and do good things in order to be a good person, and this reminds me of karma with Hindus. AMAZING and funny video with Batman and the Joker for Utilitarianism! Loved the videos!
ReplyDeleteUtilitarian ethics are one way to think about solving ethical dilemmas but they are not the only way. For instance, we might have a fixed idea of what is the best solution for the biggest number of people, but if the smaller number have always been misrepresented then in the interest of fairness it makes sense to favor them sometimes.
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