Lesson 11 - Virtue Ethics

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Metaethics

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Normative Ethics

Question 3

the actual application of ethical or moral theories for the purpose of deciding which ethical or moral actions are appropriate in a given situation

Answer 3

Applied Ethics

Question 4

___ is a normative moral theory which emphasizes right disposition and character of the agent over right action

Answer 4

Virtue Ethics

Question 5

In virtue ethics, instead of asking “what is the right thing to do?”, it asks ___

Answer 5

How ought I to live my life?

or

What kind of person ought I to be?

Question 6

is a normative moral theory which emphasizes right disposition and character of the agent over right action

Answer 6

Virtue Ethics

Question 7

Does Virtue ethics set up rules or principles for moral behavior?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

the strength of virtue ethics as a normative moral theory hinges on ___

Answer 8

character formation and moral education

Question 9

According to this criticism, virtue ethics cannot provide ___

Answer 9

definite rules for moral behavior

Question 10

Rule -following will only work if the moral agent has the ___ and ___ to follow rules.

Answer 10

character and disposition

Question 11

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

Answer 11

the agent’s character

Question 12

Virtue ethics is self - centered because it is basically about ___

Answer 12

acquiring virtues for the moral agent’s well-being or flourishing

Question 13

___ argued that through an understanding of human nature, one is able to discern his purpose in life.

Answer 13

Aristotle

Question 14

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.

Answer 14

Aristotle

Question 15

According to Aristotle, human beings by nature seek ___

Answer 15

the good

Question 16

___ is the highest good because man no longer seeks beyond it; this highest good is man’s happiness.

Answer 16

The good as an end in itself

Question 17

___ is man’s ultimate purpose in life

Answer 17

Happiness

Question 18

For Aristotle, men seek happiness either in ___

Answer 18

pleasure, honor, and contemplation.

Question 19

Happiness derived from ___ is not lasting. Both of these forms of happiness largely depend on external things

Answer 19

pleasure and honor

Question 20

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.

Answer 20

reason

Question 21

Aristotle argues that man must acquire both ___ and ___ virtues in life

Answer 21

intellectual and moral

Question 22

Intellectual virtues are cultivated and acquired through ___ while moral virtues through ___

Answer 22

education

habit and training.

Question 23

___ 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

Answer 23

Virtues