Identify and discuss competing for philosophical viewpoints on ethics and morality. (CO1)
This lesson contributes to the student learning objective (SLO 5)

Identify what is good according to each of the ethical systems
The terminology you must know:

1. Eudaimonia:
The concept of eudaimonia, a key term in ancient Greek moral philosophy, is standardly translated as “happiness” or “flourishing” and occasionally as “well-being.”

2. The principle of the Golden Mean:
Golden mean. In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes: excess and the other of deficiency. For example, courage, a virtue, if taken to excess, would manifest as recklessness and, if deficient, as cowardice.

Lecture notes:

The ethics of virtue asks the question, “What is a good person?” The roots of this system are in the work of Aristotle, who believed that to be good, one must do good and possess the virtues of thriftiness, temperance, humility, industriousness, and honesty. Aristotle believed that eudaimonia was the goal of life. More than just having pleasure, one should live a good life, reach achievements, and attain moral excellence. He defined virtues as “excellences.”

Intellectual virtues (wisdom, understanding) as distinct from moral virtues (generosity, self-control)Aristotle believed that we are, by nature, neither good nor evil but become so through training and the acquisition of habits.

The principle of the Golden Mean is that virtue is always the median between two extremes of character. Moral virtue comes from habit, which is why this system emphasizes character. The Josephson Institute of Ethics lists Six Pillars of Character.