Liberty University Phil201 Study Guide: Lesson 14

Liberty University Phil201 Study Guide: Lesson 14

The Intellectual Virtues

Lesson Overview

In the lesson, we introduce a highly two important issues in epistemology: intellectual virtues and virtue epistemology. We first introduce virtue itself and then go on the show how they can be applied to our intellectual pursuits. After this, we show how specific intellectual virtues like humility, honesty, courage, and carefulness helps us gain an accurate understanding of reality.

Tasks

Read Chapter 8 of How Do We Know: An Introduction to Epistemology. As you do, consider the following questions and points:

• Aside from Epistemology, which area of philosophy do discussions of virtues and vices arise?
• How was Aristotle’s understanding of happiness different from hedonistic understandings of it?
• How should we define virtue?
• What is a vice and how does it compare to virtue?
• Describe Aristotle’s understanding of the Golden Mean.
• What are the two kinds of vices that Aristotle mentions?
• How did Aristotle say that virtue develops in a person?
• What is an Intellectual Virtue?
• According to Aquinas, what is the relationship between moral and intellectual virtues?
• What are the 5 ways that Wood says moral and intellectual virtues are parallel to each other?
• Describe the way each of the intellectual virtues work towards helping us find the truth.
• How might virtue epistemology help us with the Gettier Problem?

Terms

Make sure you can explain the following terms and concepts:

·         Virtue

·         Vice

·         Moral Virtues

·         Intellectual Virtues

·         Virtue Epistemology

·         Eudaimonia

·         Hedonism

·         Golden Mean

·         Vices of Excess

·         Vices of Deficiency

·         Studiousness

·         Humility

·         Honesty

·         Courage

·         Carefulness