Virtue Ethics

Question 1

Who developed Virtue Ethics?

Answer 1

Aristotle

Question 2

What are the cardinal virtues?

Answer 2

First developed by Plato: prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude

Question 3

Define prudence

Answer 3

To have careful good judgement.

Question 4

Define temperance

Answer 4

To live in moderation

Question 5

Define justice

Answer 5

To ensure fairness.

Question 6

Define Fortitude

Answer 6

To confront fears and show courage.

Question 7

What did Aristotle believe that everything had?

Answer 7

Four Causes. The most important being a ‘final cause’

Question 8

Define final cause

Answer 8

Purpose.

Question 9

What, according to Aristotle is the final cause of a human being?

Answer 9

Eudaimonia

Question 10

What is eudaimonia?

Answer 10

The whole of society being content, healthy and prosperous.

Question 11

What must be developed in order to reach eudaimonia?

Answer 11

An individual’s virtue

Question 12

What are the two types of virtues?

Answer 12

Moral and Intellectual.

Question 13

How are moral virtues developed?

Answer 13

By habit

Question 14

How are intellectual virtues developed?

Answer 14

Be training and education.

Question 15

What did Barack Obama say about virtues

Answer 15

we must go back to the virtues as they have been lost in modern society.

Question 16

What guidance is there to help us develop the virtues?

Answer 16

Following virtuous people as role models.

Question 17

Name 3 moral virtues

Answer 17

courage, modesty, proper ambition

Question 18

Name 3 intellectual virtues

Answer 18

Prudence, wittiness, wisdom.

Question 19

What did Aristotle believe about the potential to develop the virtues.

Answer 19

We all have the potential to develop the virtues but few will cultivate this potential. (Gentleman philosophers)

Question 20

QUOTE - How does Aristotle describe excellence?

Answer 20

“Excellence is a habit not an act”

Question 21

What is the golden mean?

Answer 21

The virtuous midpoint between two vices

Question 22

What is a vice of deficiency?

Answer 22

A lack of virtue

Question 23

What is a vice of excess?

Answer 23

Too much of a virtue

Question 24

Define virtue

Answer 24

A moral excellence

Question 25

Define vice

Answer 25

Falling short or exceeding due to your passions or actions.

Question 26

What does it mean to call a theory agent centered?

Answer 26

It focuses on the moral development of the person.

Question 27

What does it mean to call a theory action centered?

Answer 27

It focuses on the moral actions performed.

Question 28

What virtues are the basis of Christian Virtue Ethics?

Answer 28

Faith, hope and charity in addition to the 4 cardinal virtues

Question 29

What are 2 vices to courage?

Answer 29

Excess: rashness, Mean: courage, Deficiency: cowardice

Question 30

What are 2 vices to patience?

Answer 30

Excess: irascibility, Mean: patience, Deficiency: lack of spirit

Question 31

What are 2 vices to wittiness?

Answer 31

Excess: buffoonery, Mean: wittiness, Deficiency: boorishness

Question 32

Give 3 examples of Virtuous Role Models

Answer 32

Socrates, Jesus, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Question 33

Should role models be perfect?

Answer 33

t does not matter as it’s only the virtuous aspects of their character which act as a role model and their flaws act as a challenge for us to aspire to greater virtuous heights

Question 34

What are the 3 questions that Alasdair MacIntyre proposed are at the heart of moral thinking?

Answer 34

1) who am I?
2) who ought I to become?
3) how ought I get there?

Question 35

What 3 virtues does MacIntyre believe are most important? Why?

Answer 35

Justice, courage and honesty

These help to prevent organisations from becoming corrupt which stops wider society being corrupt too