1. Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” refers to:
a) Achieving wealth through moderation
b) A middle path between two extremes of behavior
c) Mathematical balance in administration
d) Following the rules strictly in all situations
Answer: b) A middle path between two extremes of behavior
Aristotle taught that virtue lies between excess and deficiency — e.g., courage lies between rashness and cowardice.
2. According to Aristotle, the highest good or purpose of human life is:
a) Material wealth
b) Eudaimonia (flourishing)
c) Fame and recognition
d) Strict rule-following
Answer: b) Eudaimonia (flourishing)
Eudaimonia means living a life of virtue and achieving personal and social well-being.
3. “Phronesis” in Aristotle’s ethics refers to:
a) Scientific reasoning
b) Emotional intelligence
c) Military discipline
d) Practical wisdom
Answer: d) Practical wisdom
Phronesis is the ability to make sound moral judgments in real-life situations.
4. Aristotle believed that ethics should focus on:
a) Punishment for wrong actions
b) Maximizing utility
c) Blind loyalty to authority
d) Building a virtuous character
Answer: c) Building a virtuous character
Aristotle’s virtue ethics centers on developing moral virtues like honesty, courage, and justice.
5. Which of the following best reflects Aristotle’s view on justice?
a) Justice is doing what pleases the ruler
b) Justice is giving everyone equal opportunities
c) Justice is giving people what they deserve
d) Justice is avoiding conflict
Answer: c) Justice is giving people what they deserve
For Aristotle, justice is distributive — people should receive their due based on merit.
6. Aristotle’s ethical thought differs from rule-based ethics because:
a) He rejected all rules
b) He focused more on consequences than duties
c) He believed ethics is irrelevant to politics
d) He emphasized virtues and character, not rules
Answer: d) He emphasized virtues and character, not rules
Virtue ethics is about developing inner qualities rather than simply obeying laws.
7. In Aristotle’s philosophy, who can best achieve moral development?
a) The rich and powerful
b) Those trained in law
c) Religious monks
d) Citizens participating in public life
Answer: d) Citizens participating in public life
Aristotle emphasized that engagement in society (polis) fosters ethical living.
8. Which of the following is NOT a key virtue in Aristotle’s ethics?
a) Courage
b) Honesty
c) Greed
d) Temperance
Answer: c) Greed
Greed is an excess and considered a vice, not a virtue, in Aristotle’s framework.
9. What is the role of reason in Aristotle’s ethics?
a) Reason is secondary to emotions
b) Reason helps in achieving scientific knowledge only
c) Reason guides moral choices and builds virtue
d) Reason leads to political control
Answer: c) Reason guides moral choices and builds virtue
Rational thinking is central to living ethically and cultivating virtues.
10. Aristotle’s ethics are most relevant to which UPSC Ethics theme?
a) Utilitarianism
b) Emotional Intelligence
c) Ethics in private relationships
d) Ethics and Human Interface
Answer: d) Ethics and Human Interface
His teachings focus on the interaction between individual character and society — the essence of Ethics and Human Interface.
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