Virtue Ethics Flashcards
Teleology
An ethic that gets what is good from the end that is achieved
Deontology
An ethic that uses rules that clarify that which is right and that which is wrong
What did Aristotle see as the aim of everything?
Eudaimonia (most closely translates as ‘flourishing’)
What are the 2 kinds of flourishing that we need to have?
We must have flourishing on both an individual and community scale
3 types of pleasure (decreasing order in value)
1) those who love contemplation (e.g. philosophers)
2) those who love honour (e.g. soldiers)
3) those whoo love pleasures (e.g. food and sex)
Tripartite Soul
1) Rational Soul (wisdom and calculation)
2) Perceptive Soul (pain, pleasure, desire)
3) Nutritive Soul (growth and metabolism)
What separates humans from animals?
Animals do not have the kind of yearning to develop their reason that humans do
How can you develop practical wisdom?
It is acquired through repetition and practice, until the virtue becomes habitual
Moral Virtues
This is the virtue whereby we develop good character through habit and the emulation of moral exemplars
Analogy of the Archer
A virtuous agent forms and exercises his virtue, just as an archer develops and exercises his archery
5 Prime Virtues
1) Prudence (practical wisdom)
2) Intuitive intelligence
3) Wisdom (theoretical wisdom)
4) Scientific knowledge
5) Technical skill
VE is a X ethic not a Y ethic
Agent centred, not action based
2 kinds of aims
Superior and Subordinate
Superior aims
Our final goals
Subordinate aims
What we must accomplish to achieve our Superior aims
Prime virtues are innate but they can be cultivated through what?
Through virtue
4 Secondary virtues
1) Resourcefulness
2) Understanding
3) Judgement
4) Cleverness
Vice of excess
Having too much of a virtue
Vice of deficiency
Having too little of a virtue
Golden Mean
The perfect point between excess and deficiency. this is dependent on the situation at hand.
Finding this can be aided by role models
How does one find the Golden Mean?
Using phronesis (practical wisdom)
Anscombe’s development
We should pursue virtue ethics because traditional deontological ethics have failed
MacIntyre’s development
- Said that virtues clarify over time and are relative to culture (in response to VE being seen as too general)
- Our telos is synonymous with that of the community so VE cannot support immoral acts
- Virtues provide meaning to our life in a post-enlightenment world
Foot’s development
- Narrows the definition of ‘virtue’ to ‘excellence of will’ so VE cannot support immoral actions as well as ensuring self-development as a motive for action
- WE should seek virtues for moral development because virtues act as ‘correctives’ to vice
Slote’s development
- Motive is important as well as action. Thus, immoral actions cannot be defended by VE
Hursthouse’s development
VE isn’t hard to apply. It is about cultural development and so there cannot be any fixed answers
Is life sacred?
Yes
Life is an opportunity to experience human flourishing
When does life begin?
When rationality is detected.
This could be attributed to the presence of the soul at the quickening
Does a woman have the right to self-determination?
No
The purpose of reproduction is to conceive. To go against this would be an error
Whose rights must be considered?
Everyone’s rights
Based on the community-focused nature of VE
Why is abortion wrong?
You are denying to opportunity for thee flourishing of a new life
Abortion if the mother is in danger
Yes
It is the most virtuous thing to do to save lives
Abortion if the baby will be disabled
No
It is the chance for the parents to develop new virtues
Quality of Life or Sanctity of life?
There is a strong focus on quality of life as there is a focus on communal flourishing
What was the aim of war?
To establish lasting peace
What did Aristotle feel about war?
It was a necessary evil.
In classical Greece, war was seen as a duty
Modern virtue ethicists like MacIntyre, Slote and Foot would have agreed with what aspect of JWT?
The idea of right intention
What cardinal virtue is needed in war?
Courage
Justice
Prudence
What is war an opportunity for soldiers to do?
showcase courage and justice (e.g. justice was not shown at Abu Ghraib)
What does MacIntyre ask we do before judging what actions are appropriate in war?
Consider the political and societal context
What does MacIntyre criticise about finding a role model?
we are falling into emotivism. We may never find a truly moral role model
What are the 2 types of moneymaking
Oecinomomicus
Chrematisike
Oecinomomicus
household training which its small scale and just above subsistence level
Chrematiskike
trade for profit
What was Aristotle’s view of Chrematisike?
It was devoid of profit
What is a good manager?
One who is driven by the values of honesty, integrity and generosity
What is more important, employees/co-workers or profit?
employees/co-workers
By treating your staff better, you will reap the rewards financially
Who are the 3 non-virtuous characters MacIntyre argues?
Manager (ruthless in achieving goals)
Rich Aesthete (indulge in luxury until they are bored)
therapist (relieves the frustration of the manager and rich aesthete)
Why should we protect the environment
The good of the community is more important than the good of the individual
