applying Virtue ethics

Question 1

what three questions should the essay be based on

Answer 1

1) what does a virtuous person look like
2) how do you become a virtuous person
3) is the action in our example something a virtuous person is likely to do?

Question 2

not about the action..

Answer 2

just if the virtuous person would do the same

Question 3

issue

Answer 3

adultery

Question 4

adulterer A

Answer 4

cheats on his wife, who he has a child with, on a one night stand

Question 5

adulter B

Answer 5

has been married for 25 years with two children. wife is no longer ale to have sex and he believes if he is unable to full fill his sexual urges he will have to leave his wife and break up the family. After discussing how he was feeling with his wife he commits adultery

Question 6

what does a virtuous person look like

Answer 6

12 moral virtues and practice- after a while when an individual becomes virtuous they will automatically make the right decisions

Question 7

does A follow the 12 moral virtues

Answer 7

does not follow any of the virtues especially justice honesty and courage –> by commit adultery in the way he has he is also not practicing virtuous acts which is the way a person becomes virtuous

Question 8

does B follow the 12 moral virtues

Answer 8

yes he is being just, honestand courageous by telling his wife how he feels–> he is also practising these virtues and therefore becoming more virtuous

Question 9

how do we become virtuous according to Aristotle

Answer 9

must act in line with the golden mean and use Phronesis to work out what the Golden mean is; virtues must be practised

Question 10

phronesis

Answer 10

practical wisdom- the better you are at it, the better you a re at following the golden mean

Question 11

Is A becoming a virtuous person?

Answer 11

lacks phronesis and is acting in line with the vices e.g. being dishonest is the vice of deficiency

Question 12

is B becoming a virtuous person?

Answer 12

using phronesis and is acting in line with the Golden mean to work out the best course of action for his family .He is also practising the golden mean and therefore becoming more virtuous

Question 13

purpose of VE

Answer 13

to reach eudaimonia- human flourishing—> ultimate telos for individuals and the community

Question 14

acting virtuously helps

Answer 14

the community reach eudaimonia

Question 15

is A reaching eudaimonia

Answer 15

no he is hindering himself and his community (family) from reaching eudaimonia since his actions may split up his family

Question 16

is B reaching eudaimonia

Answer 16

helping himself and his community to reach eudaimonia by being virtuous –> his honesty and actions will help keep his and his family together -> until idea

Question 17

Conc- is adultery something a virtuous person would do?- A

Answer 17

no, he is not following the 12 moral virtues or the golden mean and this means he is not practising the virtues himself and is preventing his family from reaching eudaiomonia

Question 18

Conc- is adultery something a virtuous person would do?-B

Answer 18

yes, he is being honest, jut and courageous–> helping his family to reach eudaimonia by using the golden mean

Question 19

conclusion

Answer 19

ultimately it is unlikely that a virtuous person would commit adultery, as it involves deceit, dishonesty and other vices, however as with B, this is not always the case