Normative Ethics Flashcards
Define phronesis
using practical wisdom
Define phronimos
A man of practical wisdom
Define temperance
Cardinal virtue of self control
Define eudaimonia
Human flourishing which Huta and Waterman states to be “the result of virtue, excellence and the best within us”
Define theoria
Intellectual virtue of contemplation and reason
How does Aristotle define virtues
“a mean between two vices”
Which key book outlines virtue ethics?
Nichomachean Ethics
Outline virtue ethics
An inward facing theory grounded in cultivating autonomy within an individual by giving them the skills to develop into a virtuous person.
An action can only be virtuous if it is voluntary
Holistic: focuses on the whole life of an individual. Aristotle states “one day or a short time does not make a blessed man happy.”
Eudaimonia is the result of fulfilling a greater human purpose
Outline the virtues
4 primary moral virtues:
prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude
5 primary intellectual:
technical skills, practical and theoretical wisdom, scientific knowledge, intelligence
4 secondary intellectual virtues:
cleverness, judgement, resourcefulness and understanding.
Outline what virtues are with supporting quotes
Virtues lie between a golden mean. Aristotle states this mean is “relative to us”
This subjective nature means it can be hard to decipher where the mean lies and so a phronimos can best determine this.
Justice “is every virtue summed up” - it has no mean and is altruistic.
Outline the strengths of virtue ethics
Holistic:
“rather than to simply prescribe a list of duties” Nussbaum praises VE for considering the whole the individual and cultivating moral excellence.
Value in practical wisdom:
Barry Schwartz praises how VE promotes an individual developing their own moral skills rather than relying on absolute rules. He argues “moral skill is chipped away by an overreliance on rules”, rules which can “spare us from thinking.”
Does not rely on faith which is useful in a society which is more secular. Ainscomb highlights how if society no longer turns to God as a source of moral authority we need a way of developing virtues.
Does not demand perfection
Outline the weaknesses of virtue ethics
Lacks cultural relativism:
Despite Nussbaum attempt at arguing certain virtues are universal such a justice, this defence fails as there are radically different ways justice is implemented across different societies and how it is perceived throughout time.
Anthropocentric:
Peter Singer uses Aristotle’s hierarchy of souls do demonstrate how VE can be criticised for speciesism.
Lacks objectivity:
VE is good for individual growth but is too broad to be implemented in society. Society needs laws and rules to function.
Democratic countries cannot make decisions based on individual character. For example, UK political morality tends to operate on consequentialist/utilitarian principles which aims to maximise the greatest good for the greatest number.
