A-level RS - Ethics (Eduqas/WJEC) > 1B Virtue theory > Flashcards

1B Virtue theory Flashcards

(46 cards)

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1
Q

What is virtue theory?

A
  • An ethical system based on personal qualities
  • Shift away from identifying ethical theory as being found in rules and principles, to the hexis (quality, manner, disposition) of a human
  • Right/wrong ≠ a matter of rules but of personal character/qualities exhibited in behaviour
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2
Q

Give a quote from Cave about virtue ethics.

A

• “Morality and personal happiness are entwined”

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3
Q

In which book did Aristotle outline his moral virtues?

A

• ‘The Nicomachean Ethics’

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4
Q

What is eudaimonia?

A

• Happiness in the sense of being fulfilled

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5
Q

What is the goal of virtue theory?

A

• Create the good life + achieve eudaimonia through cultivating virtues (virtuous actions)

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6
Q

What did Aristotle call virtues? And hence, what is virtue ethics also known as?

A
  • Arete

* Aretaic ethics

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7
Q

Why is virtue ethics a holistic philosophy?

A

• It must have a social context with the end result of enabling people to live together

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8
Q

According to Aristotle, what are the three aspects of happiness?

A

1) A life of enjoyment
2) A life with freedom
3) Being a philosopher (∵ of reflection and contemplation)

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9
Q

Which is the most important virtue that can maintain the three aspects of happiness?

A
  • Wisdom (phronesis)

* Such wisdom ≠ easily gained; it is achieved “in a complete life”

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10
Q

How are moral virtues acquired and developed?

A
  • Acquired through habit

* Developed through practice

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11
Q

Give three examples of moral virtues.

A
  • Temperance
  • Liberality
  • Patience
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12
Q

What are intellectual virtues?

A

• Developed by education

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13
Q

Give three examples of intellectual virtues.

A
  • Insight
  • Wisdom
  • Peace
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14
Q

What is the difference between justice and virtue?

A
  • Justice = “a relation to one’s neighbour”

* Virtue = “a certain state without qualification”

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15
Q

What balance is required to cultivate virtues?

A

• Excess and deficiency

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16
Q

Why is it difficult to balance virtues?

A
  • Each extreme brings an associated vice

* “it is no easy task to be good. For in everything it is no easy task to find the middle”

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17
Q

What does Aristotle call the balance of virtues?

A

• The mean

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18
Q

What three types of person does the doctrine of the mean produce?

A
  • Sophron
  • Enkrates
  • Akrates
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19
Q

What is the sophron?

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A

• Someone who naturally lives in the mean w/o effort

20
Q

What is the enkrates?

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A

• Someone who is tempted, but has strong enough willpower to live in the mean

21
Q

What is the akrates?

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A

• Someone who is weak and cannot live in the mean ∴ they are akrasia (incontinent)

22
Q

According to many commentators, what are the four key virtues in allowing a character to develop?

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A
  • Temperance
  • Courage
  • Justice
  • Wisdom (manages and drives them all)
23
Q

According to Aristotle, what is the greatest advocate of virtue?

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A
  • The philosopher
  • They pursue the ‘loving’ (philos) and the ‘wise’ (sophos)
  • The phrase was first used by Pythagoras to describe himself
24
Q

What are the excess and deficiency associated vices of patience?

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A
  • Excess: Irascibility

* Deficiency: Lack of spirit

25
What are the excess and deficiency associated vices of friendliness?
* Excess: Obsequiousness | * Deficiency: Cantankerousness
26
What are the excess and deficiency associated vices of temperance?
* Excess: Licentiousness | * Deficiency: Insensibility
27
How many virtues are there in total?
• 11/12
28
Where can the history of encouraging virtues in the Christian tradition be traced back to?
• Ecclesiastes
29
Which part of the Bible do people traditionally associate Christianity's teachings on rules with?
• The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
30
What does the first section of the Sermon on the Mount begin with?
• Jesus promoting specific virtues
31
What are the beatitudes?
* Blessings given by Jesus for certain personal virtues | * "Blessed are the/those..."
32
"Blessed are the poor in spirit...
"...for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." | • Interpreted as an understanding of poverty (physical, mental, spiritual) e.g. the oppressed
33
"Blessed are those who mourn...
"...for they will be comforted." • Extends beyond the immediate concern of the loss of a loved one to possessions, status and health • State of recognsiing concern/regret for the current situation of being separated from God
34
"Blessed are the meek...
"...for they will inherit the earth." • Psalm 37:11: "The meek will possess the land" • Not a weakness, but more a description of discipline/exhibiting self-control towards others
35
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...
"...for they will be filled." | • Desire for virtuous outcome of justice in a personal, spiritual, social, global sense"
36
"Blessed are the merciful...
"...for they will be shown mercy." • Through humility/awareness of God's character, C.tians = encouraged to display mercy to others ∵ it is a virtuous disposition in itself, not ∵ it brings reward of G's mercy
37
"Blessed are the pure in heart...
"...for they will see God." | • Sincerity of character that wills/determines correct choices w/o contamination of selfish drives
38
"Blessed are the peacemakers...
"...for they will be called the children of God." | • Trad. ascribed to the role of Messiah; those who follow suit + work for peace appreciate the nature of KoG
39
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness...
"...for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." • Willingness to suffer for religious + moral principles but display underlying determination to survive and stand up for what is right despite obstacles
40
Why are the virtues a subject of theological debate?
* Echoes of Isiah 61:1-3: refers to freedom from poverty, heartbreak, imprisonment, mourning + declaring hope for the righteous who are in despair, and comfort those who mourn * Antithesis of Proverbs 6:16-19, which describes the unrighteous character
41
Give the challenge that virtue theory does not fall conveniently within deontological or teleological categories due to its focus on the characteristics of a person.
* Links with Aristotle + Aquinas have caused some to question whether or not it is a form of Natural Law ∴ deontological in essence * Others see it as teleological ∵ of its focus on achieving eudaimonia
42
Give the challenge that the virtues are not a practical guide to moral behaviour.
* They are arbitrary, subjective, vague, imprecise ∴ lacks a focus on real behaviour in relation to real-life situations; more guidance = required if it is to be effective as a moral system * Too much dependence on potential goodness of others; unconditional trust that allows for no overall control or individual quality control - what is correct? * Too individualistic as it deals primarily w/ the individual ∴ not practical for society * Too complex for many to apply; Aristotle recognised that not everyone has the same ability when resisting vice ∴ maybe only relevant for the philosopher
43
Explain the challenge of cultural relativism and the use of virtues for immoral acts.
• Do virtues really exist? Various instances in history where one society's virtue = another's vice - e.g. courage could be seen as passively putting up with injustice/persecution, or actively participating in challenging tyranny (warriors = praised for courage) • As a system, it can be contradictory: if there are differences in expressing a virtue, then which is the right one? • Self-centred ethic means that the action a moral agent performs does not consider the consequences for others
44
Explain the response that virtue ethics is an attractive/alternative way to pursue ethical standards.
• Although virtues are self-focused, the theory develops a character that responds best to others and builds an ideal community ∴ strong social context for virtue theory, makes it a practical system • Focuses on the way we behave, not simply what we should believe to be the case
45
Explain the response that the virtuous person is an exemplar of good character.
* Virtue theory has clear, guiding principles * Such exemplars (philosophers) serve as good role models (however, Hitler saw himself as a "philosopher-leader") * Aristotle argued that wisdom in application of justice for society ensures that is works and it is not subjective
46
Why could virtue theory apply to feminist thinkers?
* It provides an alternative to rules/duties stereotypically shown as a male way of approaching life * Most systems in place have been devised by men, for men
A-level RS - Ethics (Eduqas/WJEC)
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