Virtue Ethics Flashcards
A virtue
A disposition or character trait to be valued
Eudaimonia
That which is good for humans. For Aristotle, human flourishing. For Aquinas, this is ultimately the Beatific Vision and union with God.
Function
Work or accomplishment. Something is good if it fulfils its function
The function argument
Everything has a function and goodness consists in performing one’s function well. Eg. A knife is good if it is sharp, has a good handle etc.
The soul and the human soul
Everything living has a soul. The nature of the soul determines the function.
The human soul is unique in its capacity for rational thought.
So reasoning well is how humans attain goodness - this entails exercising virtue in their life
Virtue ethics doesn’t ask what should I do? But..
What should I be?
What kind of person should I am to be with my actions?
Aristotle quote about practicing virtue
‘One day does not make a summer; and so too one day or short time does not make a man blessed and happy’
Aristotle quote about reason
‘The good life is that in which we reason well’
Two parts to the human soul
Rational and non rational
Rational part contains
Intellectual virtues
The 9 intellectual virtues
Technical skill Scientific knowledge Practical wisdom Intelligence Theoretical wisdom AND Resourcefulness Understanding Judgement Cleverness
The non rational part contains
12 moral virtues
The 12 moral virtues
Courage Temperance Generosity Magnificence High mindedness Correct ambition Good temper Truthfulness Wittiness Friendliness Modesty Just resentment
Intellectual values are learned by
They can be taught
They are controlled by reason
Moral virtues are gained by
Repetition and practice
Imitating virtuous people
They are directed by the rational soul
Doctrine of the mean
Emotions can be either in excess or in deficit
So practical wisdom steers a person to the mean between these two extremes. Moral virtues lie here.
This is relative to each individual and their circumstances.
Phronimos
A person who displays practical wisdom so is best equipped to define virtuous behaviour
Intention in VE
People are acting virtuously when they know what they are doing
They must be making a reasoned choice - and are definitely not acting virtuously if their action is motivated by desire to impress others
Theoria
The intellectual virtue of contemplation - Aristotle says this is the good life for humans. It leads to eudaimonia.
3 reasons for Theoria
Reason/intelligence is the highest aspect of human life
Contemplation of the world is done for its own sake and so it intrinsically good
Theoretical reasoning is the contemplation of the divine - not human - higher than that
Strengths of VE
It includes the whole person and their development
It is centred around the person’s character not rules
The emphasis of practical wisdom encourages use of judgement rather than clinging to a rule book.
It allows for making mistakes - even the most virtuous people do - but asks us to look up to and imitate more virtuous people.
It embraces the individual and the whole of society
Weaknesses of VE
These virtues may not be the same in every culture, we do not live in Ancient Greece now but an entirely different world with different values.
It doesn’t feel relevant in today’s world with the development of new technologies. Who can we claim is truly virtuous and what if we are mistaken?
Aristotle’s hierarchy of sounds ignores the interests of animals and the environment.
So it is very anthropocentric.
Lack of clear guidance makes it too vague
Most styles of government can’t make decisions/laws based on individual character so it isn’t helpful to society.
