Normative Ethical theories - Virtue Ethics

Question 1

virtue ethics

things needed to practice virtues, emotions

Answer 1

• a character-based ethical system –> focuses on who u are rather than the actions/result
• starts from a natural way of thinking about your life
• actions are reflective of your character
• can only improve your character by practicing being virtuous
• need self knowledge and awareness of yourself to practice being better
• takes emotions into account, unlike other ethical systems which say emotions weaken you

Question 2

care ethics

Answer 2

• sees personal relationships as a primary place for ethical behaviour

Question 3

historical origins of Virtue Ethics

Answer 3

• Platos 4 cardinal values: prudence, temporance, fortitude, justice
• adoped as well as faith, hope and charity into moral philosophy (eg aquinas and cardinal hume)

Question 4

aristotles theory on virtues

Answer 4

• moral and intellectual
• intellectual are theoretical wisdom and moral is justice
• moral virtue is mean between 2 vices

Question 5

two vices

Answer 5

• a virtue is the GOLDEN MEAN (courage)
• a vice deficiency is when u lack this virtue (cowardice)
• a vice excess is when you demonstrate this virtue to a fault (rashness)

Question 6

Good and Eudaemonia

aristotles view

Answer 6

• purpose of life is to achieve EUDAEMONIA: happiness
• it is the greatest good for yourself and everyone
• aristotle: spent time in Athens –> forward thinking society (democracy) –> supreme happiness must be part of a society not as an individual
• there is a problem of happiness as a definition

Question 7

Eudaemonia types

Answer 7

1. seeks pleasure + does not engage intellectually
2. gets happiness for doing good for others
3. philosophers: use reason to achieve happiness

Question 8

Human reason

why is reason needed in virtue ethics

Answer 8

• reason separates us from animals –> reason should help us achieve happiness, by guiding emotion and virtue
• wisdom, courage and self control come where there is a balance of the soul

Question 9

happiness of the soul

rational and irrational

Answer 9

• soul = distinguishes living from the dead
• soul has an unrational and rational half
• rational = scientific/intellectual virtues
• irrational = what keeps us alive + desires/moral virtues

Question 10

Aristotles definition of virtues

2 types of virtues

Answer 10

• 9 intellectual virtues
• 12 moral virtues –> between 2 vices, deficiency and excess

Question 11

3 examples of Aristotle’s intellectual virtues

Answer 11

1. scientific knowledge: EPISTIME - knowledge of the nature and universe (science). we need the ability to control the world through knowledge
2. PHRONESIS: practical wisdom. balances our needs and desires with other peoples. it gives our actions a moral compass
3. resourcefulness and deliberation: EUBOLIA - knowledge of the relevant facts and the implications and connections of those facts

Question 12

3 examples of A’s moral virtues

Answer 12

GOLDEN MEAN: PATIENCE
V of Deficiency = indifference
V of Excess = irritable

GOLDEN MEAN: MODESTY
VD - shamelessness
VE - shyness

GOLDEN MEAN: COURAGE
VD = cowardice
VE = rashness

Question 13

aristotles and phillipa foot opinion on ethicality

Answer 13

A: easy to be ethical if attractive
PF: more virtuous if u have to work to be moral (kleptomaniac resisting the urge to steal)

Question 14

aristotle’s definition of success and problems

Answer 14

excellent and virtuous activity, with a good fortune throughout your entire lifetime
- sees life as a narrative: can change life trajectory quickly so should look holistically

PROBLEMS:
- does not see things outside of his class (Athens, first democracy, very affluent)
- greek/roman culture is abusive (slavery, sexual abuse)

Question 15

morality

pleausre, reason, moral value, morally weak vs vice

Answer 15

• pleasure: ‘unimpeded activity of a natural condition’ –> what a good person would want to do and is succeeding at
• reason controls the irrational
• goodness and moral value of any action depends on the CHARACTER of the person doing it
• difference between morally weak and vice –> if there is a self awareness of moral shortcoming (morally weak) a person can become more virtuous through their actions

Question 16

social justice

who deserves in society?

Answer 16

• A claims injustice is done when someone does something wrong for his own advantage
• justice demands equality
• the more a person contributes to society, the more they deserve back
• virtuous citizens contribute more to society and therefore should receive greater rewards of honour and respect
• fairtrade + attitude of equity

Question 17

Aristotle and his view on social justice

why is it controversial

Answer 17

• sheltered: coming from a privileged perspective
• talks of equality within his experiences

Question 18

Aristotelian circle

Answer 18

• improve virtues (eg practical wisdom)
• leading to improved wellbeing leading to more virtue, leading to more practical wisdom
• cyclical spiral upwards or downwards

Question 19

arete

Answer 19

• what is good seems good to the virtuous
• more virtuous you become the better you will understand and know what virtue is
• good determined by the virtuous –> if born into virtuous family, it is easy to follow

Question 20

target practice and virtue

government role in virtue

Answer 20

• practice makes perfect; instilled while young to stay with them for all their life –> virtues are a skill practiced to become more virtuous
• good government: instills the highest moral standards in citizens and encourages moral growth –> can only be done if they are of the highest moral standards

Question 21

does virtue ethics help

Answer 21

• virtuous varies from community to community (eg criminals)
• which virtues are correct?
• situation and character –> Nazi Germany, Stanley Milbourn, ‘learning test’

Question 22

9 strengths of virtue ethics

Answer 22

• you can develop as a moral agent
• relative, no absolutes
• stresses the need for improvement + importance of practice
• universal - not specialist or needs religious knowledge
• character-based: improvement in self = improvement in society
• golden mean
• both aspects of deontology and teleology
• relevant today in society: Jubilee centre
• sees life as a narrative: holistic worldview, mistakes arent damning