The Ethics of Virtue

1
The Ethics of Virtue

• Virtue ethics date back to Aristotle (325B.C.) in
  his Nichomachean Ethics.
• Aristotles central question What is the good
  of man?

2
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?

3
Virtue and Function

• Aristotle holds that happiness (or that which
  makes someone happy) is tied to the proper
  functioning of a thing.
• good hammer that which functions well at
  hammering
• What is the unique function of man?

4
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

5
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.

6
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

7
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
  lifes challenges

8
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.

9
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
• Doubts about the ideal of impartiality
  relationships with family and friends are
  difficult to account for in other moral
  approaches.

10
Problems with Virtue Ethics

• Problem of Incompleteness
• Lie/Dont 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

11
Problems with Virtue Ethics (Continued)

• Problem of Conflicting Virtues
• Friendship vs. Justice
• Is there a virtue to cover every situation? For
  any good reason given in favor of doing an
  action, there is a corresponding virtue consists
  of a disposition to accept and act on that reason.