Review Questions, Set 2
1. What are Virtues? How do moral virtues differ from intellectual
virtues? Are there theological virtues? Who advocates for theological
virtues? How do all these virtues contribute to Eudaimonia?
2. What, according to Aristotle, is the Doctrine of the Mean? Explain
with at least five examples how the doctrine is supposed to apply? Does the
doctrine apply to murder? What about Adultery? Why/ Why not?
3. How does Aristotle think we attain happiness? How does Aquinas
think we attain happiness? Explain the similarities and the difference, if any,
in their approaches.
4. For Aquinas, moral and intellectual virtues are to be subsumed
under theological virtues. Explain his claim.
5. Explain how Aquinas conceives of the relationship between Reason
and Faith on one hand, and Philosophy and Theology on the other.
6. Explain the differences, if any, between how Aristotle and Aquinas
define Human Fulfillment. Why does Aquinas reject external goods as
conducive to genuine human fulfillment?
7. Why does Aquinas reject internal goods as conducive to genuine
human fulfillment?
8. Explain the Social Contract approach to morality. How does it
differ from, say, Plato’s or Aquinas’ approach. Name three other social
contract theorists.
9. What is the State of Nature for Hobbes? Is this some prehistoric
state? Explain its broad characteristics.
10. Complete: In the State of Nature, ‘the life of man’ is solitary ….’ (Get the exact quote)
11. For Hobbes, the Sovereign must have absolute authority. Why? Do
you think that this is a good idea?
12. Clearly explain the moral significance of the Prisoner’s Dilemma.