Transcript Virtue Ethics - BTHS World History

Introduction

Associated with Greeks

Originated likely in China

Does not focus on
consequences, intuitions or
rules, so much as the
development within human
beings of a moral or virtuous
character by means of doing
what a good or virtuous
person would do

Virtue the quality of moral
excellence, righteousness and
responsibility… worthy
practice or ideal
Aristotle’s Nichomachean
Ethics

Named for his son,
Nichomachus

Aim towards some end

End of human life is
happiness

Goal to reason well for a
whole or complete life
Development of Character

Concerned with action
conducive to human good

General principles created
through moral judgments

Follow natural tendencies
with an attitude of
harmony

Based on common sense

As we practice acts we
realize that virtue is good in
itelf

i.e. Truth telling
Virtue and Vice

Virtue a mean between
excess or deficiency

Practical wisdom the ability
to see the right thing in any
circumstance


Much more importance
assigned to an enlightened
conscience than to prior
rules
The mean is relative to us
Confucian Moral Self-Cultivation

Deeply engraved in Chinese
culture

Those with an ethically
fulfilled life would have a
powerful affect upon others

Excellence in the
development of ethics
important for governing

Confucius


Thought humans were
fundamentally social
Within the structure of
relationships that virtues
and attitudes would
enhance daily life
Five Confucian Cardinal
Relationships

Ruler and subject

Father and son

Husband and wife

Elder brother and younger
brother

Friend and a friend

Confucius sees a clear difference
between doing the right thing
and being a good person

Each person understands their
relationship with others
Analyzing Virtue Ethics


Advantages

Creating a good human
being

Unifying reason and
emotion

Emphasizes moderation
Disadvantages

Do humans have an end?

Are morals naturally
implanted?

What is virtue?
Conclusion

Virtue ethics develops the moral
person from within and from
without

But based on number of
assumptions that are difficult to
prove






Do they have an end or
purpose?
What is that purpose?
Is morality innate?
What is virtue?
What virtuous human beings
are?
Best to synthesize
consequentialist and
nonconsequentialist values
The Virtuous Human
Being
A Sitcom?