1B: Virtue Theory

Question 1

Background to VT:

Answer 1

• usually ethical theories focus on working out morality through a person’s actions or the outcome of the actions
• however VT focuses/concentrates on developing a person’s’ character (ethos). Specifically through reducing their vices and increasing their virtutes
• virtues = good characteristics, e.g. patience and kindness
• vices = bad characteristics, e.g. jealousy, selfishness and greed

Question 2

Example of VT in action:

Answer 2

• stealing
• DCT would argue that this action is immoral
• however VT may justify this if it was done for the right reasons

Question 3

Who were the two contributors to VT?

Answer 3

• Aristotle
• Jesus

Question 4

Who was Aristotle?

Answer 4

• 384-322 BCE
• Ancient Greek philosopher who believed that the purpose of humanity was to achieve eudaimonia

Question 5

Aristotle - 12 moral virtues:

Answer 5

• developed a universal set of morals to help achieve the aim of eudaimonia
• e.g. courage and wittiness

Question 6

Aristotle - doctrine of the mean:

Answer 6

• however we need to stay away from the excess or deficiency of any virtue
• we need to find the middle ground or the golden mean in order to achieve eudaimonia

Question 7

Aristotle - phronesis:

Answer 7

• Aristotle argued that there is no common middle ground, it is completely dependent on the situation
• therefore he suggested that we needed phronesis (practical wisdom) to help us to s=establish the middle ground
• phronesis is acquired as we age and become more autonomous

Question 8

Aristotle - intellectual virtues:

Answer 8

• also argued we need to develop a second set of virtues - intellectual virtues
• they need to be developed through guidance and instruction
• there are 9 IV - five primary and four secondary
• e.g. PV - scientific knowledge
• e.g. SV - understanding

Question 9

Jesus - the Beatitudes:

Question 10

Challenges to VT:

Answer 10

• cultural relativism
• can lead to immoral acts
• no specific guidelines

Question 11

Challenge - cultural relativism:

Answer 11

• virtue of obedience is much more important in countries such as China than here in the UK
• therefore not universal and consequently ineffective

Question 12

Challenge - can lead to immoral acts:

Answer 12

• could lead to evil or immoral acts
• e.g. it takes courage to rob a bank. Criminals can use virtues to become powerful

Question 13

Challenge -

Answer 13

• no clear rules or specific guidelines therefore there is no definitive way to act in a certain situation