Virtue Ethics Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is Virtue Ethics?
Concerned with the qualities or virtues we must develop in order to become a better person.
Schneewind’s view?
Question is not “what I ought to do?” but, “what sort of person am I to be?”
Thompson’s view on Virtue Ethics?
“Developing the virtues is a… social, political and moral feature of life.”
Tyler and Reid criticism of Virtue ethics?
It is not easy to apply, where do we identify where the golden mean is?
Anscombe’s view?
“The best life for a human being- eudaimonia- consists in the exercise of the virtues.”
- Morality is more than just following rules or principles, as a bad person could then behave morally as in kantian ethics, which she called “absurd,” and in Utilitarianism, which she called “superficial.”
-there should be a return of attention to the character, and the best life is eudaimonia, achieved through through the “exercise of the virtues.”
Foot’s view?
-Virtues are necessary for a moral society.
-They need to be nurtured and developed through constant habit.
-Society in general will flourish from a virtue based approach.
-Since human nature often succumbs to temptation, she used the words of Aquinas to describe the role of virtue, “we need a curb, which we name temperance.”
MacIntyre’s view?
-“The exercise of the virtues is itself a crucial component of the good life for man.”
-Deontological and teleological approaches had created a “moral vacuum” with three main archetypes.
1.) Bureaucratic manager- efficiency obsessed, driven by profit not principle.
2.) The rich aesthete- someone with a sincere appreciation of beauty, culture and the arts but are the focus of media attention in a virtue-void culture.
3.) The therapist- keeps everything in society in place.
-Virtue Ethics would cure these issues.
Hauerwas’ view?
Christian approach, based on values promoted by Jesus.
-Should focus on the type of individual you want to be and what community you wish to be involved in.
-Community should be shaped by traditions which give it a sense of identity.
-Christian prayer and worship can lead to virtuous lives especially the type that invites the Holy Spirit, which builds an even stronger moral community.
-Promotes “radical commitment to non violence.”
-Best form of discipleship is imitation.
Application by Hurthouse?
Created rules for it: “V-rules.”
Example of abortion:
A virtuous person recognises that saying it doesn’t matter is callous.
Also recognises motherhood and childhood are intrinsically worthwhile.
Justifiable then by:
1.) Will affect their ability to be a good mother to their other children.
2.) Approaching the age to be a good grandmother.
3.) Might kill them if they continue.
4.) May want a life centred around another valid intrinsically worthwhile idea.
Nussbaum view?
FGM- “Does FGM contribute to flourishing and to a good life?”
She believes no and thus it is abhorred and banned.
Louden’s view?
- Cannot tell anybody what they ought to do.
-Fails to provide a set of rules which prevent intolerable acts.
