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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following aptly describes virtues and vices in a manner consistent with Aristotle's description?

2. Aristotle says that the magnanimous man cares more for what than for people's opinions?

3. In Aristotle's view, the sort of virtue which is concerned with pleasures and pains belongs to what?

4. What causes a distortion to come about in most people, according to the opinion of Aristotle in III.4?

5. What vice is, according to Aristotle, in excess of the virtue of courage?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship that Aristotle claims exists between the virtues of courage and temperance?

2. How does Aristotle characterize those who are rash?

3. What characterizes Aristotle's distinction between "willing" and "choice"?

4. The magnanimous man is concerned with what things and in what manner, according to Aristotle?

5. With what virtuous dispositions are Book IV, Chapters 6-9 concerned?

6. What are the conditions Aristotle gives for properly calling someone happy in Book I, Chapter 9, and why does he give these?

7. In the view of Aristotle, what is the opinion of the temperate person towards the pleasures in which the intemperate indulge?

8. What sort of ruler becomes a tyrant, according to Aristotle's observations?

9. According to Aristotle, in what way is justice reciprocal, and why?

10. In what way does Aristotle claim gentleness (or mildness) is related to the virtues concerned with honor and magnanimity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many cases, ethical rectitude depends not merely on a bland and level equality between men, but upon a sense of proportionality; justice is not merely ensuring that everyone has the same things, according to Aristotle, but that everyone has that which he is due, according to merit. Examine this claim in a structured analytical essay. Why does Aristotle advocate proper proportionality? In what situations does he advocate it? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his argument? Upon what does his argument depend? Upon what does proportionality depend? What is the relationship between proportionality and the various virtues?

Essay Topic 2

Of the moral virtues, none stands in higher regard than that of one's greatness of soul. Analyze Aristotle's presentation of the great-souled man in a careful and thorough essay, considering both what greatness of soul is in itself and its relationship to all of the other virtues. How does it relate to temperance, courage, generosity, and any of the other moral virtues? How is it related to the intellectual virtues? What are some specific examples of a great-souled man? How does a great-souled man react in specific situations? What makes such a person exemplary for others?

Essay Topic 3

What good is understanding a particular virtue if the concept of virtue itself is not understood? Compose an analytical essay which examines the very roots of virtuosity itself, starting with the relationship between particular virtues and Aristotle's conception of it as a mean condition between two extremes. To what does virtue relate? How is that to which virtue is related suspect to extremes of excess and deficiency? What is the essence of virtue itself? What are some particular examples by which this essence is demonstrated?

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