Virtue Ethics

Definition

Virtue ethics is a normative ethical theory that emphasizes the virtues or moral character, rather than duties or rules (deontology) or the consequences of actions (consequentialism). It focuses on the kind of person one should be and the virtues that enable human flourishing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Virtue ethics focuses on the agent's moral character and what kind of person they should strive to become, rather than on the rightness or wrongness of specific actions.
2. The goal of virtue ethics is to cultivate virtues or moral excellences, such as courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom, which enable human flourishing and the achievement of eudaimonia.
3. Virtue ethicists believe that moral education and the habituation of virtues are essential for developing good character and making the right choices in life.
4. Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of practical wisdom (phronesis) in making ethical decisions, which involves the ability to discern the appropriate course of action in a given situation.
5. Virtue ethics has been influential in various fields, including moral philosophy, political theory, and education, as it provides a framework for understanding and promoting moral development and human well-being.

Review Questions

• Explain how virtue ethics differs from other normative ethical theories, such as deontology and consequentialism.
  • Virtue ethics differs from deontology and consequentialism in its focus on the moral character of the agent rather than the rightness or wrongness of specific actions or their consequences. Virtue ethicists believe that developing virtues like courage, temperance, and justice is essential for living a good and fulfilling life, rather than simply following a set of rules or maximizing positive outcomes. The goal of virtue ethics is to cultivate moral excellence and enable human flourishing, known as eudaimonia, rather than adhering to predetermined duties or calculating the consequences of actions.
• Describe the role of practical wisdom (phronesis) in virtue ethics and how it informs ethical decision-making.
  • Practical wisdom, or phronesis, is a key concept in virtue ethics. It refers to the ability to discern the appropriate course of action in a given situation, taking into account the relevant contextual factors and the agent's own moral character. Virtue ethicists believe that practical wisdom is essential for making ethical decisions, as it involves the integration of moral knowledge, experience, and the ability to navigate the complexities of real-world situations. Developing practical wisdom is seen as a crucial aspect of moral education and the cultivation of virtues, as it enables individuals to make sound judgments and act in accordance with their moral character.
• Analyze how the concept of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, is central to the virtue ethics framework and how it relates to the development of moral character.
  • The ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'well-being' or 'human flourishing', is at the heart of virtue ethics. Virtue ethicists believe that the ultimate goal of moral life is to achieve eudaimonia, a state of fulfillment and excellence that comes from living a life of virtue. The cultivation of virtues, such as courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom, is seen as essential for enabling human flourishing and the realization of one's full potential. Virtue ethicists argue that by developing a strong moral character and consistently acting in accordance with virtues, individuals can achieve eudaimonia and live a truly good and meaningful life. The connection between moral character and eudaimonia is central to the virtue ethics framework, as it provides a holistic understanding of the relationship between individual moral development and the broader conception of human well-being and fulfillment.

Related terms

Eudaimonia:

The ancient Greek concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'well-being' or 'human flourishing', is central to virtue ethics. It refers to the highest human good and living a life of virtue to achieve a state of fulfillment and excellence.

Aristotle: Aristotle is considered the founder of virtue ethics, as he developed the idea that the cultivation of virtues, such as courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom, is essential for living a good and fulfilling life.

Moral Character: Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of developing a strong moral character, where one consistently acts in accordance with virtues like honesty, compassion, and integrity, rather than simply following a set of rules or maximizing consequences.