Modern developments of virtue ethics

Question 1

Anscombe’s VE

Answer 1

• secular approaches to moral theory (Kantian ethics + Utilitarianism) are without foundation as they have no content outside of the legislative arena provided by the divine; “It has no reasonable sense outside a law conception of ethics”
• we should place virtues more centrally in our understanding of morality

Question 2

Bernard Williams’ VE

Answer 2

• distinction between morality (characterised by deontological aspects) and ethics (the good life)
• the good life is a matter of luck, if one has ‘good’ genes and is brought up well => becoming virtuous is largely a matter of luck

Question 3

McIntyre’s VE

Answer 3

• what counts as virtue varies from society to society
• it is human nature to become an independent, rational agent and that is the most important virtue
  CP: this is not culturally relative/dependent => contradiction?

Question 4

Foot’s VE

Answer 4

• stresses the individual
• as a virtuous person, you should do more than conform to the conventions of society
• difference between virtues and skills: can make a deliberate mistake with a skill but that does not damage our character/reputation
• virtues are correctives: wood analogy (wood constantly needs to be straightened) and virtues straighten us and eventually become habits => allowing us to become virtuous