Virtue ethics dates back to Aristotle who asked "What is the good of man?". Aristotle believed happiness was the supreme good and that the unique function of man was his power of thought. He argued that the full development of reason through a life governed by virtue would make man happy. Virtue is defined as a character trait that is good for a person to have, such as honesty, fairness and self-discipline. Virtue ethics argues that being virtuous allows one to live well and in community with others.
Virtue ethics dates back to Aristotle who asked "What is the good of man?". Aristotle believed happiness was the supreme good and that the unique function of man was his power of thought. He argued that the full development of reason through a life governed by virtue would make man happy. Virtue is defined as a character trait that is good for a person to have, such as honesty, fairness and self-discipline. Virtue ethics argues that being virtuous allows one to live well and in community with others.
Virtue ethics dates back to Aristotle who asked "What is the good of man?". Aristotle believed happiness was the supreme good and that the unique function of man was his power of thought. He argued that the full development of reason through a life governed by virtue would make man happy. Virtue is defined as a character trait that is good for a person to have, such as honesty, fairness and self-discipline. Virtue ethics argues that being virtuous allows one to live well and in community with others.
back to Aristotle (325B.C.) in his Nicomachean Ethics. • Aristotle’s central question: “What is the good of man?” Supreme Good • Happiness – supreme good chosen for itself and never for something else. • More than a mere truism • What is the nature of happiness? • How do we achieve happiness? Virtue and Function • Aristotle holds that happiness (or that which makes someone happy) is tied to the proper functioning of a thing. • What is the unique function of man? The Function of Man • Aristotle holds that the unique function of man is his power of thought. • Full development of reason will make man happy • Life of Reason: “activity of the soul in conformity with virtue” – clear judgment that is self-centered • Rational Principle = Golden Mean The Golden Mean • Virtue is the mean between two extremes relative to the individuals. • Excess-------Mean-------Deficiency Rashness-----Bravery-----Cowardice • The good person is one who habitually follows the mean. Contemporary Virtue Ethics • Virtue (defined): a trait of character, manifested in habitual action, which is good for a person to have. • Examples of Virtues: (Partial list – no absolute or complete list) Benevolence, Fairness, Self-Discipline Self-Reliance , Honesty, Tolerance Conscientiousness, Loyalty, Justice Importance of the Virtues? • Virtuous person will fare better in life. • Virtues are needed to live well • We need virtues to live in community with others • Necessary to pursue our own ends and cope with life’s challenges The Nature of the Virtues • Are the virtues the same for everyone? Yes – All people need virtue just to different degrees – Certain virtues will be necessary for some cultures – Radical Virtues Ethics: get rid of the notion of morally right and morally wrong. Use virtuous and non-virtuous. Advantages of Virtue Ethics • Moral Motivation – certain situations are handled by an appeal to virtue rather than right action or duty. – Example: Visiting a friend in the hospital – Virtue: Friendship, Love, Loyalty Problems with Virtue Ethics • Problem of Incompleteness • Lie/Don’t Lie → • Honesty is a virtue → • What does it mean to be honest? → • One who follows rules such as “Do not lie” → • Why this rule? → Non-virtue consideration • Problem of Conflicting Virtues – Friendship vs. Justice – Is there a virtue to cover every situation?