A2 Religious Ethics- Virtue Ethics

Front 1

Explain the prinicple of The Golden Mean.

Back 1

Virtue is to be found in the Golden Mean- finding the balance between two means.
Aristotle- virtue is to be found between two vices.
The mean is not the same for everyone and depends on the circumstances- You need to apply practical wisdom: Phronesis
We get this when we move away from the demands and rules of authority figures to a more autonomous, virtue centred morality.

Front 2

What is Virtue Ethics?

Back 2

A type of ethical thinking that goes right back to Plato and Aristotle .
It is closely linked to Natural Law.
Basis: "What does it mean to live a good life?"
'virtue' comes from Greek word 'arete' which means 'excellence'.

Front 3

How does Virtue Ethics differ from other ethical ideas, such as Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics?

Back 3

It concentrates on the CHARACTER of the person making the moral decision, rather than on the action itself.
'agent-centred' rather than 'act-centred'- it asks "What sort of person ought i to be?" rather than "How should I act?"
It is neither deontological nor teleolgoical- both.

Front 4

Explain Plato's take on Virtue Ethics.

Back 4

Humans must strive to reach their highest good by cultivating the soul to reach inner well-being and eudaimonia.
Four Cardinal Virtues:
Temperance, Courage, Prudence, Justice
When these 4 virtues are in balance, a person's actions will be good.

Front 5

Explain Aristotle's take on Virtue Ethics.

Back 5

Nichomachean Ethics- the point is about reaching eudaimonia.
He distinguishes between goods in terms of means and ends.
We should try in humanity to flourish towards an end rather than a mean.
There are two types of virtues:
-Moral: gained through habit
-Intellectual: taught through education & training

Front 6

What is Aristotle's order for reaching virtue?

Back 6

1. Teaching
2. Reflecting
3. Understanding
4. Reflecting and thinking for yourself
5. Practise of virtues

Front 7

What is G.E.M Anscombe's approach to virtue ethics?

Back 7

1958 paper 'Modern Moral Philosophy': asks can there be any moral laws if there is no God?
Suggests idea of eudaimonia and human flourishing which does not depend on any God. Kantian ethics and utilitarianism are the same but they are act-based which Anscombe thought was nonsensical. This is because it ignores old belief and neglects the autonomous community aspect of morality.
STRENGTH- universal application without a lawgiver
WEAKNESS- our characteristics are ingrained so it is difficult to change a vice.

Front 8

What is Phillipa Foot's approach to Virtue Ethics?

Back 8

An attempt to modernise Aristotle's Virtue Ethics while keeping the same understanding of character & virtue.
Recognises importance of reasoning in the practise of virtue as it benefits us by leading to flourishing beyond conforming to the conventions of society.
A virtue does not operate as a virtue when turned to a bad end.
virtues help to correct harmful human passions and temptations.
STRENGTH- uses reasoning to conclude a virtue.
WEAKNESS-our reasoning can be flawed.

Front 9

What is Alasdair Macintyre's approach to Virtue Ethics?

Back 9

Ethical theories have simply resulted in ethical disagreements so people do not think there are any moral truths. Opinions are considered equal.
Most modern attitudes are based on emotivism.
History= Age of Enlightenment lost sight of morality being people achieving their true telos. He wants to restore the importance of human purpose but says its impossible to restore Aristotle's theory of function.
'Any virtues which sustain the households and communities in which men and women seek for good together'.
STRENGTH- clear idea of what constitutes a virtue.
WEAKNESS- opposes modern individualism and communities often fail to function effectively.

Front 10

What is Rosalind Hursthouse's approach to Virtue Ethics?

Back 10

Using a Aristotelian virtues framework she defends that virutes are virtues because they help a person achieve eudaimonia; but she does not agree with all of Aristotle's conclusions.
Like Julia Annas, she sees virtues as shaping the pracrtical reasoning in characteristic ways, and not simply shaping attitudes or actions.
Virtue is the most reliable path to flourishing, but provides no guidance in moral dilemmas.

Front 11

What is Michael Slote's approach to Virtue Ethics?

Back 11

Based on common-sense ideas and intuitions about what counts as a virtue.
uses word 'admirable' as it describes an action and does not need qualifying and explaining like 'good'.
Opposite- 'deplorable' action which is both foolish and careless and morally blameworthy actions.
Virtue= 'An inner trait or disposition of the individual'.
This view allows a wide range of actions for moral dilemmas.

Front 12

Explain Annette Baier's feminist approach to Virtue Ethics.

Back 12

Men= think morally in terms of jutice and autonomy.
This can be seen as 'masculine traits'.
Women= think morally in terms of caring, nurturing, and self-sacrifice.
Takes account of out natural biases and the importance of trust for people in lives/relationships.

Front 13

What are the strengths of Virtue Ethics?

Back 13

1. Avoids having to use a formula like hedonism- focuses on the kind of person we ought to be.
2. Understands the need to distinguish good people from legalists.
3. Importance of motivating the want to be good.
4. Enables us to integrate many aspects of life- our emotions, friends and social responsibilities- into our ethical reflection.
5. Good to be biased in favour of friends and family.
6. Does not pretend to provide an answer for virtue in every possible situation as it stresses importance of character; compassion is morally superior.

Front 14

What are the weaknesses of Virtue Ethics?

Back 14

1. Are virtues culturally relative?
2. Robert Louden: does not help people facing a crisis as there are no clear rules for action. What do you do about abortion?- matter of practical wisdom.
3. Seems to praise some virtues that may be seen as immoral- soldiers as courageous.
4. Louden- decide who is virtuous?- appearances
5. No room for basic concepts- rights +obligations; seems incapable of dealing with big issues.
6. Depends on some final end which gives shape to our lives- there may not be one and virtue may not affect it.

Front 15

How applicable is Virtue Ethics as a theory?

Back 15

It is applicable as it encourages the use of reason to project compassion and reject dutiful behaviours.
However its core weakness is that it provides no rules for a moral dilemma. What each person sees as virtuous or immoral also varies.
In this aspect it is impractical as a theory of ethics.