Virtue Ethics

Question 1

What is virtue?

Answer 1

A trait of character (disposition) to act, feel, and think in a certain way that goes “all the way down”

Question 2

How do we acquire virtue?

Answer 2

We acquire virtue through habituation

Question 3

What is “in a certain way”?

Answer 3

According to virtue, not vice

Question 4

What leads to eudaimonia?

Answer 4

Living a virtuous life with practical wisdom leads to eudaimonia

Question 5

What is the reply to the argument that virtue ethics is circular?

Answer 5

Virtue ethics is circular, but not viciously so. Virtuous acts must be defined in terms of a complete definition of virtue, including how virtuous acts feel

Question 6

What is the reply to the argument that virtue ethics is culturally relative?

Answer 6

Virtue ethics is less culturally relative than other theories, because eudaimonia of humans goes to basic facts about people: we are social animals, and some of our natural impulses are altruistic and cooperative in nature

Question 7

What is virtue ethics?

Answer 7

An action is right if and only if (and because) it is what a virtuous agent would not fail to perform in the circumstances under consideration