Virtue Ethics Flashcards
What is Virtue Ethics?
Virtue Ethics is nether deontological or teleological. It does not focus on whether our actions are right or wrong in themselves and it is not at all interested in the consequences of our actions. Rather, it is more concerned with the qualities or virtues we must develop in order to become a better person. Virtue Ethics is therefore more concerned with ‘being’ as opposed to ‘doing’.
How did Aristotle contribute to Virtue Ethics?
He attempted to outline what he believes to be the purpose of human life. He begins by claiming that each and every one of our actions has a purpose or a ‘good’. For Aristotle, the supreme good is human flourishing or eudaimonia which means “…being happy and living well”. In order to achieve this we must develop qualities and characteristics that will make us better people and subsequently help us live good lives.
What are examples of Moral Virtues?
Courage (vice of excess-rashness/vice of deficiency-cowardice)
Patience (vice of excess-lack of spirit/vice of deficiency-irascibility)
Modesty (vice of excess-shyness/vice of deficiency-shamelessness)
What are examples of Intellectual Virtues?
Primary virtues - scientific knowledge and wisdom
Secondary virtues - understanding and resourcefulness
How did Aquinas develop the theory?
He focused on the four cardinal virtues; prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice.
How did Elizabeth Anscombe contribute?
She argued that since many did not believe in God, it was important to find a system of morality that cold be based on the idea of human flourishing rather than obedience to rules of an external lawgiver.
How did Philippa Foot contribute?
She argued that the virtues outlined by Aristotle and Aquinas were necessary for a moral society. She also said that the moral virtues needed to be nurtured and developed through constant habit, particularly through childhood.
Outline the views of Alastair MacIntyre
Claimed that deontological approaches had created a “moral vacuum” (a society in which true morality was absent). He defines virtue as “…an acquired human quality the possession and exercise of which tends to enable us to achieve those goods… and lack of which effectively prevents us from achieving any such goods.”
What are the views of Stanley Hauerwas?
He has taken a Christian approach to virtue ethics which emphasises the importance of developing virtues based on valued promoted by Jesus.
Give an example of Virtue Ethics in application.
Rosalind Hurtshouse applied Virtue Ethics to abortion;
1) A virtuous person would to take the abortion lightly.
2) They would realise that motherhood and childbearing are intrinsically worthwhil.
3) Abortion may be justified if the woman feels that another child would affect their ability to be a good mother to existing children, those who are approaching the age of being a grandmother and if a woman has decided to centre their life around another worthwhile activity.
