Saint Michael College, Cantilan, Incorporated

Cantilan, Surigao del Sur

College Department

LEARNING MODULE
in
GE 8 – ETHICS
Instructor – Zorayda A. Orozco

I. MODULE 8 : VIRTUE ETHICS

II. INTRODUCTION
While most of us ask “What should I do?” when we think about ethics, many philosophers have
approached it by asking, “What kind of person should I be?” These thinkers often turn to virtue ethics
for answers. Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers of all time, developed a comprehensive
system of virtue ethics that we can learn from even today. (Hendricks, 2018)
Mature individuals are aware that it is vital for children to go to the process

III. TOPICS
1. The Human Quest for Happiness
2. Virtue Ethics
3. What is Virtue?
4. Basic Types of Virtue
5. Virtue and Character Formation
6. Virtue as Golden Mean
7. Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics

IV. TIME FRAME : 3 hours

V. OBJECTIVES
1. Explain the meaning of virtue, its two types, and the basic principles of virtue ethics (the
pursuit of happiness, excellence, golden mean).
2. Distinguish virtuous acts from non-virtuous acts and describe a virtuous person.
3. Apply Aristotle’s ethics in understanding the Filipino character concerning universal virtues
(virtues found in other nationalities).
4. Apply the insights of virtue ethics to the development of one’s personal character.
5. Articulate some of virtue ethics’ strengths and weaknesses.

VI. SUMMARY OF TOPICS

THE HUMAN QUEST FOR HAPPINESS

Aristotle’s ethics believes that every act that a person does is directed toward a particular
purpose or aim. The Greeks called this telos. One does something for a purpose and a person’s
action reveals the “good” that s/he aspires for. It is to achieve this “good” that a person pursues
something. For example, a person pursues a chosen career in order to provide a better future for
his/her family. This “better future” is the good toward which the person strives to work hard.
Therefore, for Aristotle, the good is considered to be the telos or purpose for which all acts seek to
achieve.

Now, for Aristotle, the “goods” (teloi) for which a person strives are hierarchical. One can
strive in order to achieve a higher purpose. There is then the highest purpose, the ultimate good of a
human being. This ultimate good is final and self-sufficient. According to Aristotle, the highest
purpose and the ultimate good of a person is happiness, or eudaimonia.

How does a person arrive at his/her highest good? For Aristotle, humans are social, rational
animals that seek to “live well.” To that end, he proposed virtue ethics to help us reach eudaimonia,
a world that means living well or flourishing. Eudaimonia is reached by living virtuously and
building up your character traits until you don’t even have to think about your choices before
making the right one. This excellent way of doing things is called virtue or arete. Therefore, to live
well means to live in accordance with virtue.

VIRTUE ETHICS

Virtue ethics focuses more on a person’s approach to living than on particular choices and actions
and so has less to say about specific courses of action or public policies. Virtue ethicists think that
the main question in ethical reasoning should be not “How should I now act?” but “What kind of
person do I want to be?” Developing virtues that we admire in others and avoiding actions that we
recognize as vicious develops our moral sensitivity: our awareness of how our actions affect others.
Virtuous persons are able to empathize, to imagine themselves in another person’s shoes, and to look
at an issue from other people’s perspectives. (Lumen, 2020)

Virtue ethics, “is an ethics whose goal is to determine what is essential to being a well-functioning
or flourishing human person. Virtue ethics stresses an ideal for humans or persons. As an ethics of
ideals or excellences, it is an optimistic and positive type of ethics.” (Corpuz, 2020)

In other words, it is the development of the good or virtuous person that is important in this moral
theory, not abstract rules or consequences of acts or rules except as they derive from a good or
virtuous person or cause that person to be good or virtuous. (Thiroux, 2014)

WHAT IS VIRTUE?

What is virtue? The dictionary defines virtue as “the quality of moral excellence, righteousness, and
responsibility... a specific type of moral excellence or other exemplary quality considered
meritorious; a worthy practice or ideal.” A virtue is thought to be a good character trait. Aristotle
thought that virtue was crucial for a well-lived life. He thought virtue was skill at living.
(https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/virtue)

Aristotle sees virtues as character traits and tendencies to act in a particular way. We gain them
through practice and by copying 'moral exemplars' until we manage to internalize the virtue. We
become temperate by practicing temperance, courageous by practicing courage, and so on.
Eventually, virtue becomes a habit. (Hendricks, 2018) This means that a person or an individual
becomes good or moral not by doing a singular act of goodness but by acting, or rather, by doing
good repeatedly or regularly, so it will become a habit. Thus, making it an integral and inseparable
part of one’s daily life and conduct. To become a virtuous person, therefore, is to make the virtues
(the good/positive and desirable character traits) as the defining feature of one’s being. (Fernandez)

BASIC TYPES OF VIRTUE (EXCELLENCE)

Aristotle identifies two types of virtues: (1) intellectual virtues and (2) moral virtues.

1. Intellectual virtues are “good habits of the mind, enabling it to be a more efficient instrument of
knowledge. They make one more effective in the use of what he or she knows and, to that extent,
contribute to the practice of moral virtue.” (Hardon, 2001) For Aristotle and St. Thomas
Aquinas, the following are examples of intellectual virtues: understanding, science, wisdom, art,
and prudence.

2. Moral virtues refer to a person’s dispositions to act well. Moral virtue, or excellence of
character, is the disposition (Gk hexis) to act excellently, which a person develops partly as a
result of his upbringing, and partly as a result of his habit of action. These virtues include
courage, temperance, liberality, magnificence, magnanimity, patience, truthfulness, etc.
VIRTUE AND CHARACTER FORMATION

Virtue ethics is concerned primarily with the task of developing a good character. Moral character is
formed by one’s actions. The habits, actions, and emotional responses of the person of good
character are all united and directed toward the moral and the good. To be of good character, one
must know the good, act in morally good ways, and be disposed and inclined toward the good
through the development of virtues. Virtues play an important role in character formation. Growing
in the virtues forms good character. Therefore, morality’s central theme, based on virtue ethics, is
“[mainly about] producing excellent persons who act well out of spontaneous goodness and serve as
examples to inspire others” (Pojman & Fieser, 2017).

A person can then be said to be good or moral if s/he is a person of character. A person of character
embodies positive qualities such as wisdom, courage, temperance, justice, magnanimity, among
others. One’s personal character then is the result or by-product of acts or deeds of repeated
goodness. One is a good person or a person of virtue not really because of what one does but of what
one is. Being precedes doing. Goodness is simply a logical consequence of one’s character or
identity. (Fernandez)

So, when virtuous people are confronted with certain or specific moral situations, they will naturally
do the right thing precisely because the right thing is part of who they are, of their character, of their
inner core. One does the good precisely because one is good, not the other way around.

So, when people are said to be morally good, this is so “because of the good character that enables
them to spontaneously do the right thing.” (Fernandez)

To sum up, moral virtue, according to Aristotle, is a “state of character” which habitually acts
according to the middle measure that practical wisdom identifies as the moral choice that should be
acted upon, given the concrete situation that presents to the person. The goal of virtue ethics is to
promote the character of the person. Building a good character is a task and responsibility of every
person.

VIRTUE AS THE GOLDEN MEAN

Virtuous actions are ones that lie between two extremes — excess and deficiency. For example,
acting courageously lies between two extremes — acting cowardly and acting recklessly. (Johnson,
2018) For Aristotle, virtue is the Golden Mean between two extremes both of which are vices.

Moral virtue, then, is defined by Aristotle as being “a disposition to choose by a rule... which a
practically wise man would determine” to be the mean between the two extremes of excess or
deficiency. According to Aristotle, practical wisdom is the ability to see what is the right thing to do
in any circumstance. Therefore, a person must determine what a “practically wise, virtuous man”
would choose in any circumstance calling for moral choice and then do the right thing.

STRENGTHS OF VIRTUE ETHICS

1. The holistic view of human nature. Reason is applied through phronesis or practical wisdom, but
unlike Kant, the emotions are not ignored, as virtue ethics is holistic (includes emotion in the
building of character). To Aristotle personal and social flourishing (eudaimonia) is the final
rational goal, and reason tames and moralizes the desires and appetites of the irrational part of
our soul.
2. Character-based. Habits of character are central, developed through training…we need heroes
who are moral role models as well as “virtuous = skillful” footballers. The present age is
“instrumental” in the sense of things being a means to an end, and pragmatic, in that we tend to
“bend the rules”. Behind action lies character: it may be legal for an MP to claim expenses for a
duck house, but is it honest?
3. Morality as a social construct. Virtue Ethics sees morality as grounded in a view a. of human
nature (to Aristotle the rational and irrational sides in conflict) and b. the social concept of the
“good life” (the life fulfilled) which differs from society to society (see relativism weakness).
Modern Philosophers have placed too much emphasis on action and reason without emphasizing
socially agreed virtues, also too much stress on the language of morals: what do we mean by
saying “stealing is wrong”?
4. Partiality. Both Kant and Mill require impartiality for their ethical viewpoints, for example, Mill
says “utilitarianism requires the moral agent to be strictly impartial, as a disinterested and
benevolent spectator”. James Rachels comments: “it may be doubted whether impartiality is
really such an important feature of the moral life…some virtues are partial and some are not.
Love and friendship involve partiality towards loved ones and friends; beneficence towards
people in general is also a virtue…what is needed is not some general requirement of
impartiality, but an understanding of how the different virtues relate to each other” (2007:173-4)

WEAKNESSES OF VIRTUE ETHICS

1. Relativistic. We cannot agree with what the key virtues are, which differ from culture to culture
eg Al Qaeda thinks it is virtuous to be a suicide bomber. One person’s terrorist is another
person’s freedom fighter and hero…so goodness must depend on something else. Perhaps we
can escape this problem by defining what, for me or my society, are the virtues that will make
me (or us) flourish. “Aristotle saw pride as a special virtue, Christians see it as a master vice”.
Rachels (2007:166)
2. Bourgeois. Bertrand Russell argued that Aristotle’s virtues were bourgeois virtues ie Victorian
suspicion of extreme passion and emotion (doctrine of the mean = be sensible, child) and “there
is a complete absence of benevolence and philanthropy” i.e. desire to sacrifice yourself for
others.
3. Decisions are difficult. “It is not obvious how we should go about deciding what to do” Rachels
(2007:176) Anscombe argues we should get rid of the idea of “right action” altogether and just
use virtue words e.g. “unjust”, “dishonest”. William Frankena has argued, “virtues without
principles are blind“. Rachels argues that virtue ethics is incomplete because it can’t account for
the fact that “being honest” implies a rule, so “it’s hard to see what honesty consists in if it is not
the disposition to follow such rules”, Rachels (2007:177).
4. Conflicting virtues. What happens when virtues conflict, for example, when honesty and
kindness conflict, or honesty and loyalty to one’s friends? “It only leaves you wondering which
virtue takes precedence”, concludes Rachels. Pojman comments “virtue ethics has the problem
of application: it doesn’t tell us what to do in particular instances in which we most need
direction” (2006:166).
REFERENCES

Books

Bulaong, Jr.,Oscar G., et al, Ethics Foundation of Moral Valuation, REX Book Store,1977 C.M. Recto
Avenue, Manila, Philippines, c 2018
Carino, Jovito, Fundamentals of Ethics, C & E Publishing, Inc., 839 EDSA, South Triangle Quezon
City, copyright 2018
Corpuz, Ruben A., Corpuz, Brenda B., Ethics OBE-& PPST – Based, LORIMAR Publishing Inc., 10-B
Boston Street, Bgy. Kanluran, Cubao, Quezon City, c. 2020
Ocampo, Ma. Liza Ruth A., Ethics Primer, A Young Person’s Guide to Moral Reasoning, Vibal Group,
Inc., copyright 2018

Websites
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
https://www.lightupthedarkness.net/human-quest-happiness/
https://ph.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?
p=ethical+framework+principles&fr=mcafee&type=E210PH91213G91708&imgurl=http%3A%2F
%2Fimage.slideserve.com%2F229838%2Fethical-framework-7-principles-l.jpg#id=0&iurl=http%3A%2F
%2Fimage.slideserve.com%2F229838%2Fethical-framework-7-principles-l.jpg&action=click
https://open.library.okstate.edu/introphilosophy/chapter/virtue-ethics/

Prepared by: Checked by:

ZORAYDA A. OROZCO, LPT Sgd. CARMEN SHIELA C. RAGURO, MIT

Instructor Program Head

Approved by:

Sgd. CARMEN SHIELA C. RAGURO, MIT

Department Dean
 Saint Michael College, Cantilan, Incorporated
Cantilan, Surigao del Sur
College Department
First Semester, AY 2022 – 2023

TEACHING LEARNING ACTIVITIES

GE 8 – ETHICS – Module 8
(Instructor – Mrs. Zorayda A. Orozco)

Name _____________________________ Course/Year ____________________ Score _____________

A. Activity/Assignment
Answer the following questions.
1. What are the five moral virtues emphasized by Hinduism?

- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (truth, non-falsehood)
- Asteya (non-stealing)
- Brahmacharya (celibacy if unmarried and non-cheating on one's partner if married)
- Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
-
2. Buddhism has intellectual virtues – right understanding and right mindfulness. What are
its moral virtues?

- Charity, patience, discipline, zeal, discipline and meditation.

B. Creative Work
1. Reflect on your own habits and identify five (5) virtuous things you do on regular basis.

- Respect, Understanding, Thankfulness, Creativity, Perseverance

2. Which among the cardinal virtues do you think you need in your life most and why?

- The cardinal that I need in life is fortitude because fortitude it will help me do things with
honesty and integrity. To Mentally tough not afraid to look in the mirror every day and
examine where they have room to improve. To perform well doesn't require perfection
as much as it requires the humility to know what is and is not achievable in the moment

SELF - EVALUATION (SYNTHESIS of the MODULE)

Discuss the following.

1. Who is a virtuous person? How did this virtuous person become one?

- A virtuous person is one who consistently demonstrates kindness in all circumstances throughout
their lives because it is in line with who they are and not only to fulfill their obligations or to
increase value.

2. Was he born already virtuous or did he inherit his virtuous life?

- Virtues can only be developed through learning and through practice. As the ancient
philosopher Aristotle suggested, a person can improve his or her character by practicing
self-discipline, while a good character can be corrupted by repeated self-indulgence.
TEST

I. Identification
1. ___________ a disposition to choose by a rule... which a practically wise man would determine”
to be the mean between the two extremes of excess or deficiency.
2. ___________ is the ability to see what is the right thing to do in any circumstance.
3. ___________ refer to excellence while __________ dispose a person to act well.
4. ___________ is an ethics whose goal is to determine what is essential to being a well-
functioning or flourishing human person.
5. ___________ the quality of moral excellence, righteousness, and responsibility... a specific type
of moral excellence or other exemplary quality considered meritorious; a worthy practice or
ideal.
6. ___________ a world that means living well or flourishing.
7. ___________ He preached the value of love, mercy and compassion.
8. ___________ According to Aristotle, the highest purpose and the ultimate good of man is ____.
9. ___________ it is simply a logical consequence of one’s character or identity.
II. Enumeration
1-5 Give at least 5 positive qualities of a person of character
6–7 What are the extremes of virtuous actions
8 – 11 Strengths of virtue ethics
12 – 15 Weaknesses of virtue ethics