Virtue ethics

Question 1

Who,where? What? View?

Answer 1

Aristotle. Virtue (aretaic/excellence) ethics was developed in ancient Greece

teleological view of the world-At the centre of virtue ethics is the idea that everything in the world has a purpose

Question 2

Aristotle’s soul and virtues

Answer 2

Aristotle identifies rational (practical and theoretical reason) and non-rational parts (nutrition, growth, desire and emotion) of the soul-virtues. These are traits/characteristics which correspond to parts of the soul.

For example temperance (self-control) is a characteristic of the desire part of the soul, and wisdom is a characteristic of theoretical reason.

And so a good life involves developing the virtues of the soul in accordance with reason-this distinguishes us from all other life-plant and animal.

Question 3

Aristotle’s golden mean

Answer 3

These virtues are a golden mean between an excess and deficiency of character. For example courage is a middle point between the deficiency of courage (cowardice) and the excess of courage (recklessness).
Or the virtue of generosity is a mid-point between the excess of wastefulness and deficiency of stinginess.

Question 4

How virtue develops

Answer 4

In order to develop virtues one must practise as no one is born virtuous-these must be cultivated from childhood. Eventually the individual will become virtuous in their sleep so they do not simply act virtuously but become virtuous embodying those excellences of character.

Question 5

Difference between ordinary and virtuous with example

Answer 5

In order to distinguish what is virtuous from what is just ordinary is its ability to excel at its ergon (function).

Example: a virtuous soldier is one that excels beyond the ability of an ordinary soldier at their ergon (function) which is soldiering: shooting, fighting etc. Performing their function well leads to arête (virtue/excellence) which in turn leads to Eudaimonia (happiness or flourishing).

Question 6

Alasdair Macintyre’s After Virtue

Answer 6

Modern form of virtue ethics stemming from his book After Virtue. When virtue ethics was growing in popularity with other ethical theories such as deontology.

Brings significance to the objective (universally applicable) nature of Aristotle’s virtues e.g. wisdom, courage and generosity. Its attractive as it benefits others in society e.g. a wise teacher benefits their students and a courageous soldier protects society-virtues are not self-centred.

Question 7

Friedrich Nietzsche

Answer 7

By contrast there is subjective approaches to ethics which urge the individual to decide their own virtues/values- Friedrich Nietzsche’s anti-herd morality can promote selfishness as the individual is free to decide how to live and vices could be promoted e.g. sloth which is of no benefit to others.

Question 8

A return to Aristotelian teleological ethics…

Answer 8

Would create a more harmonious society where individuals’ actions benefited the wider society and it also provides an objective clear framework to live by which is easy to use (be virtuous.)

Question 9

Susan Wolf Weakness

Answer 9

Susan Wolf states that “if there are such things as moral saints that I am glad that neither I, nor those whom I care most about, are amongst them” this shows that many do not want to cultivate virtues and are happy not to. e.g. happy fat man

Question 10

Nietzsche/ nihilistic weakness

Answer 10

Nihilists question its metaphysical foundation: teleological order of the universe.

Questiones the absolutism of Aristotle’s moral virtues. Leaves society lost.
Nietzsche = virtue ethics is the “herd mentality” we should be the ubermensch and “transvalue values”

Question 11

Strengths

Answer 11

Virtue ethics crosses cultural boundaries as every society has virtuous individuals e.g. Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Guru Nanak

Flexible as wisdom can be applied in many different ways making it superior to the absolutism of deontology. For example Kant’s advice on the assassination of an evil dictator to stop a war

Gives responsibility rather than guidelines for acting as it allows you to become something e.g. wise or brave rather than obey rules/laws/Gods

Question 12

Carol Gilligan

Answer 12

Argues that virtue theory is chauvinistic as the virtues, being off the battlefield, are often overtly masculine e.g. bravery, and female virtues such as compassion, are absent from Aristotle’s virtue ethics.

Question 13

Jean Paul Sartre weakness

Answer 13

No guide when virtues conflict: Jean Paul Sartre’s young man example in Existentialism and Humanism begs the question: what do we do when virtues conflict?

French young man dilemma of either looking after his sick mother of fighting against the Nazis with the Free French Forces.
Collaborator priest,”look after your sick mother”.
Resistance priest, “fight with the free French.”
Sartre says to him “You are free so choose” this highlights the problem of it being virtuous to follow each course of action (compassion and bravery respectively) but also that despite virtue we are always faced with ourselves and our freedom.

Question 14

Golden mean weakness

Answer 14

Golden mean is unintelligible for some virtues e.g. wisdom. No excess?

Question 15

Link to deontology

Answer 15

Virtue ethics has a relativist approach to ethics in contrast to deontology’s moral absolutism which mirrors debates in the study of religion:
Christianity about relativist vs. absolutist interpretation of Biblical scripture.

In this sense deontology is closer to a literal understanding or interpretation of scripture and virtue ethics closer to relativist/symbolic understandings as it gives the individual greater freedom to choose and decide meaning for themselves.

Question 16

Link- John Hick

Answer 16

Virtue ethics’ relativism has important parallels to John Hick’s pluralism in debates regarding diversity in the study of religion: Christianity. It seems a relativist approach to ethics supports a pluralistic understanding of the truth claims of religion (seeing all as equal).

Question 17

Link- Aquinas

Answer 17

Agreed with Aristotle , that it was the soul which animated the body and gave it life.
The soul is what makes our body live, so the soul is the primary source of all these activities that differentiate levels of life; growth, sensation, movement, understanding

Question 18

Link- secular

Answer 18

The absence of God from virtue ethics makes it attractive in a largely secularised modern society.
Recent popularity from debates concerning religion and secularisation (showing links to study of religion: Christianity).

Therefore it is more appealing than God-based ethics such as natural law. Indeed modern anti-theists e.g. Hitchens and Dawkins would find it more convincing due to its non-religious nature.

Question 19

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Answer 19

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “world come of age” concept argues that modern humans are mature enough to make moral decisions without strict, external rules, a perspective that aligns with virtue ethics by focusing on becoming a responsible person rather than following rigid commands.

Question 20

Henry Sidgwick’s ethical egoism

Answer 20

Henry Sidgwick, in The Methods of Ethics, argued that rational egoism—the idea that one ought to maximize their own happiness—is as compelling as utilitarianism.

Applied to virtue ethics, Sidgwick’s work shows that the pursuit of one’s own flourishing, is good and can lead to different actions than the utilitarian pursuit of general well-being.