Virtue Ethics

Question 1

What approach does virtue theory have to ethics?

Answer 1

An agent centred approach - this means that the person makes the action right or wrong, not the intention or outcome.

Question 2

Who first spoke about the virtues?

Answer 2

Plato

Question 3

Who developed virtue theory?

Answer 3

Aristotle

Question 4

What happens when we all develop our moral character?

Answer 4

Society/polis will flourish

Question 5

What was the name of Aristotle’s book?

Answer 5

Niomachiean Ethics

Question 6

What is the end goal of virtue ethics?

Answer 6

To achieve eudaimonia

Question 7

What is the ‘doctrine of the mean’

Answer 7

The perfect balance of the virtues, finding the golden mean is having the right amount of that virtue.

Question 8

What is a virtue?

Answer 8

A desirable characteristic.

Question 9

What is a practical/moral virtue?

Answer 9

Virtues you can practice to develop your moral character.

Question 10

What are intellectual virtues?

Answer 10

These are virtues that you are born with, you improve them upon reflection.

Question 11

What are cardinal virtues?

Answer 11

These are fundamental virtues that have to be utilized..

Question 12

Give an example of practical/moral virtues.

Answer 12

Friendship, kindness

Question 13

Give an example of intellectual virtues.

Answer 13

Common sense, scientific knowledge, practical wisdom.

Question 14

What are the cardinal virtues?

Answer 14

Courage, temperance, justice and prudence.

Question 15

How many virtues does Aristotle recommend?

Answer 15

12

Question 16

Explain the analogy of the ship.

Answer 16

Aristotle said that polis is like a ship, on the journey to eudaimonia, to get there we need navigators. the navigators are the philosophers. He split society into three types of people, continent people, incontinent people and viscous people. Continent people only need a little bit of training because they almost always make the moral decision, incontinent people need much more training because they often make the wrong decision but through training can improve and viscous people will always make the wrong decision no matter what.

Question 17

What was MacIntyre’s book called?

Answer 17

After virtue

Question 18

Explain the jigsaw analogy.

Answer 18

He says that we have lost sight of morality, it’s like we have all the pieces to the jigsaw but no understanding of what we are trying to piece together.

Question 19

What is MacIntyre’s solution to the jigsaw analogy?

Answer 19

We need to recover the virtues and work out as a society which characteristics are important to us. Once we have done this we can have a better understanding of what makes us a good person.

Question 20

What are the three questions that MacIntyre asks about a practice to find out whether it is moral?

Answer 20

Does it have standards? Is it developing? Is it social?

Question 21

What was Elizabeth Anscombe’s book called?

Answer 21

Modern Moral Philosophy

Question 22

What did Anscombe think we needed to do in order to be moral?

Answer 22

She said that we need to develop our ‘moral psychology.’ Until we focus on the individual, morality won’t make sense.

Question 23

How does eudaimonia compare to religion?

Answer 23

It is similar to the concept of heaven. When you reach heaven you have achieved full happiness and fulfillment.

Question 24

How to the virtues compare to religion?

Answer 24

Christianity talks about the 7 deadly sins and the 7 heavenly virtues. Jesus also identifies 8 beatitudes which are similar to the virtues because they are good characteristics.

Question 25

How does the phronimos link to religion?

Answer 25

Christians would see Jesus as an ideal role model, he demonstrated virtues such as compassion and justice.

Question 26

How does training link to religion? (The analogy of the ship)

Answer 26

Priests are given guidance where needed - the pope could be seen as similar to the navigators in the analogy of the ship.