Lesson 11 - Virtue Ethics Flashcards
descriptive in nature; aims to understand the nature and dynamics of ethical principles; asks questions about the nature and origin of moral facts, as well as the way in which we learn and acquire moral beliefs
Metaethics
prescriptive in nature as it seeks to set norms or standards that regulate right and wrong or good and bad conduct; normally attempts to develop guidelines or theories that tell us how we ought to behave
Normative Ethics
the actual application of ethical or moral theories for the purpose of deciding which ethical or moral actions are appropriate in a given situation
Applied Ethics
___ is a normative moral theory which emphasizes right disposition and character of the agent over right action
Virtue Ethics
In virtue ethics, instead of asking “what is the right thing to do?”, it asks ___
How ought I to live my life?
or
What kind of person ought I to be?
is a normative moral theory which emphasizes right disposition and character of the agent over right action
Virtue Ethics
Does Virtue ethics set up rules or principles for moral behavior?
No. It stresses the importance of cultivating the right character, disposition, attitude, reason and emotion without which a moral agent can hardly do the right thing,follow moral rules and do his moral duties
the strength of virtue ethics as a normative moral theory hinges on ___
character formation and moral education
According to this criticism, virtue ethics cannot provide ___
definite rules for moral behavior
Rule -following will only work if the moral agent has the ___ and ___ to follow rules.
character and disposition
According to this view, virtue ethics focuses on ___ and not, for example, on the duty one owes to another or the promotion of another person’s benefit
the agent’s character
Virtue ethics is self - centered because it is basically about ___
acquiring virtues for the moral agent’s well-being or flourishing
___ argued that through an understanding of human nature, one is able to discern his purpose in life.
Aristotle
He claimed that the attainment of this purpose is at the same time the living of the good life. But this purpose can only be achieved by living well, that is to say, by acquiring and possessing those good qualities andexcellences that enable a person to function well as a human being.
Aristotle
According to Aristotle, human beings by nature seek ___
the good
___ is the highest good because man no longer seeks beyond it; this highest good is man’s happiness.
The good as an end in itself
___ is man’s ultimate purpose in life
Happiness
For Aristotle, men seek happiness either in ___
pleasure, honor, and contemplation.
Happiness derived from ___ is not lasting. Both of these forms of happiness largely depend on external things
pleasure and honor
If ___ is the distinguishing characteristic in man which separates him from plants and animals, then it is that which must be developed and cultivated in order for man to be happy.
reason
Aristotle argues that man must acquire both ___ and ___ virtues in life
intellectual and moral
Intellectual virtues are cultivated and acquired through ___ while moral virtues through ___
education
habit and training.
___ are dispositions which develop a man’s character and attitude. They are traits in man that makes him into a fully developed person thereby making him attain the good life
Virtues
