Virtue Ethics Flashcards
What is a human centred approach?
Focusing on what it takes to become a better person.
What makes an action morally good?
If it develops your moral character
What makes virtue theory teleological?
The fact that it aims at eudaimonia
Why is virtue theory not consequentialist or deontological?
Consequentialist - the outcome makes the action right or wrong (utilitarianism)
Deontological - following your duty makes the action right or wrong (Kant)
What was Aristotle’s book called?
Niomachean ethics
What is eudaimonia?
Human fulfilment / happiness
How can we achieve eudaimonia?
Developing our moral character. By practicing our virtues.
What are the main / most important virtues to practice?
1 - Moral / practical
2 - intellectual
3 - cardinal
Outline the moral/practical virtues
An action you cultivate through habit. E.g. Kindness. The more you practice it the better you become at it - it then becomes a habit.
Outline the intellectual virtues.
Something you develop through training and reflection. E.g. Common sense and scientific knowledge.
What are the 4 cardinal virtues?
Temperance (non emotional)
Courage
Justice
Prudence (wisdom)
What is the doctrine of the mean?
Finding the perfect balance of a virtue
Outline the Cardinal virtues.
These are the key and most important virtues that have to be developed. Temperance (not emotional) Courage Justice Prudence (wisdom)
What are the excess and the deficiency of the mean?
excess - being too much of something. E.G. too courageous - rash.
deficiency - being too little of something. E.G. not being courageous enough - cowardly.
What is the golden mean?
The perfect balance of the virtue. This will be different and unique for everyone.
What is a phronimos?
A role model. Someone you look up to and aspire to be like in order to develop your character and find your golden mean.
What is the analogy of the ship?
Training.
Ship = society.
Navigator = philosopher.
trying to get to eudaimonia and have a flourishing society.
What are the 4 different levels of people according to Aristotle?
Trainer - Philosopher
Continent people - Choose virtue over vice
Incontinent people - Choose vice over virtue
Viscious people - always choose vice
This represents the amount of training they require. from least to most to cant be trained at all.
