Virtue theory - is this the best way to think about morality?
“Every action aims at some good.” (Virtue Ethics 3.a). In this paper, I will argue that virtue theory is the best way to view morality. Morality is defined as the belief about what is considered right behavior and what is considered wrong behavior, and what degree it is right and good. I will be discussing what virtue is and what makes one a virtuous person. I will also be talking about some alternate views of virtue theory and the response that a virtuous person would give to prove that virtue theory is an appropriate response to the view of morality.
“The function of man is reason and the life that is distinctive of humans is the life in accordance with reason. If the function …show more content…
The threshold concept opens a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something and represents a transformed way of understanding without which the learner cannot progress. The second definition she describes is intended to be neutral to a variety of virtue theories and ethics; it entails neither eudemonistic nor noneudemonistic virtue ethics. The third definition she describes is also neutral centralizing on the issue of how broadly or narrowly we should understand the notion behind moral virtue. (Swanton pg. 38). Virtue ethics has been developed in three main directions: Eudemonism which bases virtues in human flourishing and performing one’s functions well, agent-based theories which emphasizes that virtues are determined by common-sense intuitions, and ethics of care which was proposed by predominately feminist thinkers challenging the idea that ethics should focus on traits such as caring and nurturing as well as justice and autonomy. “A virtue is a character trait a human being needs to possess to flourish. To flourish is to live well, to prosper, or to be truly happy or fulfilled.” (Zyl pg. 135). Aristotle, however, only focuses on two different categories of virtue; intellectual and moral. Intellectual virtue includes qualities such as wisdom, rationality and knowledge, where intellectual virtue is a learned behavior over time (Chaffee pg. 454). Moral virtues, on the other hand, include qualities such as being temperate, just, compassionate and truthful. These virtues are also developed over time but they require a great deal of instruction developed through consistent and ongoing practice. (Chaffee pg. 454). Moral education and development is an extremely important part of virtue ethics. One must be able to develop the right habits to perform virtuous acts, however, virtue is not a
“Every action aims at some good.” (Virtue Ethics 3.a). In this paper, I will argue that virtue theory is the best way to view morality. Morality is defined as the belief about what is considered right behavior and what is considered wrong behavior, and what degree it is right and good. I will be discussing what virtue is and what makes one a virtuous person. I will also be talking about some alternate views of virtue theory and the response that a virtuous person would give to prove that virtue theory is an appropriate response to the view of morality.
“The function of man is reason and the life that is distinctive of humans is the life in accordance with reason. If the function …show more content…
The threshold concept opens a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something and represents a transformed way of understanding without which the learner cannot progress. The second definition she describes is intended to be neutral to a variety of virtue theories and ethics; it entails neither eudemonistic nor noneudemonistic virtue ethics. The third definition she describes is also neutral centralizing on the issue of how broadly or narrowly we should understand the notion behind moral virtue. (Swanton pg. 38). Virtue ethics has been developed in three main directions: Eudemonism which bases virtues in human flourishing and performing one’s functions well, agent-based theories which emphasizes that virtues are determined by common-sense intuitions, and ethics of care which was proposed by predominately feminist thinkers challenging the idea that ethics should focus on traits such as caring and nurturing as well as justice and autonomy. “A virtue is a character trait a human being needs to possess to flourish. To flourish is to live well, to prosper, or to be truly happy or fulfilled.” (Zyl pg. 135). Aristotle, however, only focuses on two different categories of virtue; intellectual and moral. Intellectual virtue includes qualities such as wisdom, rationality and knowledge, where intellectual virtue is a learned behavior over time (Chaffee pg. 454). Moral virtues, on the other hand, include qualities such as being temperate, just, compassionate and truthful. These virtues are also developed over time but they require a great deal of instruction developed through consistent and ongoing practice. (Chaffee pg. 454). Moral education and development is an extremely important part of virtue ethics. One must be able to develop the right habits to perform virtuous acts, however, virtue is not a