virtue ethics Flashcards
what is the virtue theory?
emphasizes an individuals character rather than following a set of rules. if we are a good person, the right actions will follow
what is eudaemonia?
flourishing, everything has a function and you must fulfill that function, pushing yourself and achieving success, never done improving
what is virtue seen like?
the midpoint between two extremes. in the middle there is virtue (golden mean), then on the left there is vice (deficiency) and on the right another vice which is excessive. have to find the middle
what does Aristotle say about your character
Aristotle says your character is developed through habituation ( if you do a virtuous thing over and over, it becomes a part of you )
what is morality according to Aristotle?
being the best you can be, working on weaknesses
what is a virtue?
a positive moral trait like kindness, patience, honesty
what is ethics of care?
emphasizes the importance of relationships, empathy, compassion
how do men and women differ in moral decision making?
men focus more on rules (ethics of justice) and women focus more on relationships (ethics of care)
what are intellectual virtues?
wisdom, prudence, rationality, can be learned
what are moral virtues?
can be learned, as a result of habit and practice
how does virtue ethics oppose kantian ethics?
it looks at motives, feelings and intentions and not about duties
what type of people should we follow?
people who act virtuously
before we can decide if a person is virtuous, what should we do?
we need tp judge of her actions are right or wrong but this can be beyond virtue ethics (kind of a criticism )
some criticisms?
no guidance on how to act in specific situations, sometimes virtues conflict (but you can weigh both and see which one is better to keep), kind of goes in a circle because virtue ethic says that virtue is in terms of right actions but also right actions are in terms of virtues, can be seen as useless
what is nicomechian?
book made on virtue ethics
