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8 Cards in this Set
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Virtue ethics |
Virtue ethics is an agent centred ethical theory that looks at the moral character of the agent rather than looking at the action itself |
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virtue ethics - plato |
-living a moral life is about reaching the highest good: highest good: the right cultivation of the soul and the harmonious well being of life
happiness is achieved through certain virtues: -temperance -prudence -courage -justice
goodness comes from a balance of these virtues |
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Virtue ethics- aristotle |
We act in a virtuous way to reach eudamonia: eudamonia: the ultimate goal for humanity, which we reach by acting with virtue,in particular reason: reason: the supreme human virtue
there are two types of virtue: moral virtue: developed by habit and lifestyle intellectual virtue: developed by education and practice
-we all have the capability to become virtuous -only a few will do so, and this is widely based upon social factors -we can learn virtue by following those who act with virtue as they show us moral excellence |
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virtue ethics - aquinas |
the golden mean: the medium between the vice of deficiency and the vice of excess
in order for us to devlop virtues we need practical wisdom(phronesis): -practical wisdom is needed to act upon the golden mean -it is aquired as we grow and move towards a virtuous life |
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modern virtue ethics (hursthouse) |
-virtues are complex, many people act with virtue for personal gain, however this is not virtueous -ie, you need to be honest simply to be honest -in order to reach eudamonia you need to act with virtue in the non-selfish sense |
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modern virtue ethics (slote) |
virtues are the 'inner disposition of the individual'
-thus we act with virtue by examining the disposition of the individual -admirable is a better word than good as good needs to be defined -we identify admirable traits by looking to the admirable |
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modern virtue ethics (foot) |
attempts to modernise aristotle -goodness is the natural flourishing of humanity
-ethics is about making the world a better place -virtues are beneficial to everyone as they contribute towards a good life
-virtues are only virtuous if used correctly |
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weaknesses of virtue ethics |
-virtue ethics is difficult to apply to moral problems since the only guideline it gives is to act with virtue and this can be applied in a multitude of ways
-virtues can be used incorrectly: war is unjust, courage is needed to fight in a war, courage is seemingly a virtue |
