Chapter Nine:Chapter Nine:Virtue TheoryVirtue Theory

Aretaic Ethics: Aretaic Ethics:

Come from the Greek word Come from the Greek word aretearete which which translates as “excellence” or “virtue”translates as “excellence” or “virtue”

The virtue or value of the actions is not in the The virtue or value of the actions is not in the act, but is in the heart of the actor.act, but is in the heart of the actor.

Virtue Ethics emphasizes being a certain person Virtue Ethics emphasizes being a certain person with a certain quality of character.with a certain quality of character.

Virtue TheoryVirtue Theory

Seeks to produce excellent persons.Seeks to produce excellent persons.Seeks to have people act out of spontaneous Seeks to have people act out of spontaneous goodness.goodness.Seeks to have those who are excellent inspire Seeks to have those who are excellent inspire others.others.Aretic Ethics focuses on the goal of life which Aretic Ethics focuses on the goal of life which is to live well and achieve excellence.is to live well and achieve excellence.

Virtue TheoryVirtue Theory

VirtuesVirtues: trained behavioral dispositions that : trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral goodnessresult in habitual acts of moral goodnessViceVice: trained behavioral dispositions that result : trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral wrongnessin habitual acts of moral wrongnessCardinal virtuesCardinal virtues: main virtues of wisdom, : main virtues of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justicetemperance, courage, and justiceTheological virtuesTheological virtues: faith, hope and charity: faith, hope and charity

The Nature of Virtue EthicsThe Nature of Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics claims that it is important to not Virtue Ethics claims that it is important to not only do the right thing, but also to have the only do the right thing, but also to have the correct disposition, motivation, and emotion in correct disposition, motivation, and emotion in being good and doing right.being good and doing right.Virtue Ethics is not only about action, but also Virtue Ethics is not only about action, but also about emotions, characters, and moral habits.about emotions, characters, and moral habits.Virtues traditionally divided into two types: Virtues traditionally divided into two types: moral and nonmoral virtuesmoral and nonmoral virtues

Moral VirtuesMoral Virtues

HonestyHonestyBenevolenceBenevolenceNonmalevolenceNonmalevolenceFairnessFairnessKindnessKindnessConscientiousnessConscientiousnessGratitudeGratitude

Nonmoral VirtuesNonmoral Virtues

CourageCourageOptimismOptimismRationalityRationalitySelf-ControlSelf-ControlPatiencePatience

EnduranceEnduranceIndustryIndustryMusical TalentMusical TalentCleanlinessCleanlinessWitWit

Aristotle’s Nicomachean EthicsAristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

To achieve a state of well being (eudaimonia), To achieve a state of well being (eudaimonia), proper social institutions are necessary.proper social institutions are necessary.The moral person cannot exist apart from a The moral person cannot exist apart from a political setting that enables him or her to political setting that enables him or her to develop the requisite virtues for the good life.develop the requisite virtues for the good life.Ethics is therefore considered a branch of Ethics is therefore considered a branch of politics.politics.

AristotleAristotle

Humanity has an essence, or function.Humanity has an essence, or function.The function of humans is to use their reason in The function of humans is to use their reason in pursuit of the good life.pursuit of the good life.Moral virtues are different from intellectual Moral virtues are different from intellectual ones.ones.By living well, we acquire the right habits.By living well, we acquire the right habits.These habits are the virtues.These habits are the virtues.

AristotleAristotle

Virtues exist between a mean that has excess Virtues exist between a mean that has excess and deficiency at either end.and deficiency at either end.We need to choose along this mean the proper We need to choose along this mean the proper course of action, towards the right conclusion.course of action, towards the right conclusion.People have unequal ability to be virtuous. People have unequal ability to be virtuous. Some have great ability; some lack it entirely.Some have great ability; some lack it entirely.Some people are worthless, natural slaves.Some people are worthless, natural slaves.

The Ideal IndividualThe Ideal Individual

Father Maximilian KolbeFather Maximilian KolbeJesusJesusSocratesSocratesGandhiGandhiMother TheresaMother TheresaAll of their lives have exhibited appropriate All of their lives have exhibited appropriate attitudes and dispositions of Virtue Ethics.attitudes and dispositions of Virtue Ethics.

Criticisms of Action-Based EthicsCriticisms of Action-Based EthicsAction Based Ethics Lack a Motivational Action Based Ethics Lack a Motivational ComponentComponentAction Based Ethics are Founded on an Action Based Ethics are Founded on an Obsolete Theological-Legal ModelObsolete Theological-Legal ModelAction Based Ethics Ignore the Spontaneous Action Based Ethics Ignore the Spontaneous Dimension of EthicsDimension of EthicsAction Based Ethics are Minimalist and Action Based Ethics are Minimalist and Neglect the Development of CharacterNeglect the Development of CharacterAction Based Ethics Overemphasize Autonomy Action Based Ethics Overemphasize Autonomy and Neglect Communityand Neglect Community

Connections Between Virtue-Connections Between Virtue-Based and Action-Based EthicsBased and Action-Based Ethics

Pure Virtue EthicsPure Virtue Ethics: :

The virtues are dominant and have intrinsic The virtues are dominant and have intrinsic value. Moral rules or duties are derived from value. Moral rules or duties are derived from the virtuesthe virtues

Connections Between Virtue-Connections Between Virtue-Based and Action-Based EthicsBased and Action-Based Ethics

Standard Action-Based viewStandard Action-Based view: :

Action-guiding principles are the essence of Action-guiding principles are the essence of morality. The virtues are derived from the morality. The virtues are derived from the principles and are instrumental in performing principles and are instrumental in performing right actions.right actions.

Connections Between Virtue-Connections Between Virtue-Based and Action-Based EthicsBased and Action-Based Ethics

Complementarity (Pluralistic) EthicsComplementarity (Pluralistic) Ethics::

Both action-based and virtue-based models are Both action-based and virtue-based models are necessary for an adequate and complete necessary for an adequate and complete system. Neither the virtues nor the rules are system. Neither the virtues nor the rules are primary; they complement each other, and primary; they complement each other, and both may have intrinsic value.both may have intrinsic value.