Virtue Ethics Flashcards
How does the approach of virtue theory differ from that of consequentialism and non-consequentialism?
Morality is not about how one ought to act in this or that situation, but how one ought to live.
The questions to answer are not “ought I to do this or that act?” but
“what is it to live well?”
“what is the good life?”
“what makes a praiseworthy or blameworthy act?”
What is a virtue? What is a vice?
Relationship?
Virtues are those habits and character traits which enables us to realize and fulfill our nature. Distinguishes between good character traits, or virtues, and bad character traits, or vices
What is the relation between virtue and action?
More about habits and disposition over life then with specific recommendation on actions. The emphasis is on moral character
How is virtue to be acquired according to Aristotle?
The ideal of moral education is to inculcate in the young and impressionable the habits and dispositions – i.e. virtues – that will enable them individually to reach their highest potential and at the same time to contribute to the overall good of the community” (56).
You do this through a kind of moral apprenticeship. Building good habits by hanging around virtuous people.
Though note that Aristotle was not a pragmatist about morality. Being virtuous is being a flourishing human being.
Can one be or become virtuous by accident?
One is born with the potential, but it needs to be developed through actions to develop habits?
How is virtue different from any particular craft? How is it the same?
A good boat builder builds well, a good person lives well. This is eudaemonia, usually translated as ‘happiness’ or ‘well-being.
How can we apply virtue theory to moral issues in nursing?
It is relevant for understanding the importance of developing habits of “good” medicine and nursing. But it also provides little direction for specific situations in health care.
Objections to virtue theory
The problem of conflict: What to do when different virtues pull one in different directions?
Aristotle thought that we could get around this by building good habits, so that we would be well-prepared to make the wise and virtuous choice in any given situation.
However, a residual problem remains:
All virtue ethics can tell us to do is to be virtuous. This can be unhelpful.
If there is some on thing we can call human nature, there seems to be a lot of disagreement over just what it is.
“It seems unlikely that we could achieve consensus on a concrete conception of the good life”
What are the classical virtues?
Bravery, Temperance, generosity, caring compassion, caring, benevolence. Rationality is finding the mean in the virtue and getting satisfaction for them.
What does RE say about the significance of relationships
value of relationships is undervalued. We are embedded in overlapping relationships all the time
How was RE framed in contrast to traditional ethical theories?
Not meant to replace them but to supplement them. Principles, virtues, moral problems are still relevant, but must be understood through specific of one relationships with others
