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Moral Philosophy - Virtue Ethics - Coggle Diagram
Moral Philosophy - Virtue Ethics
Aristotelian virtue ethics is an approach that emphasizes the role of character virtues. Virtues like courage, wisdom and temperance contribute to living a flourishing life.
Good = Virtue
Book One: The good of humanity
"Every art, every procedure, every action and undertaking aims at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim" - Aristotle (1094a1)
First indicator of what it means to be good.
"What is the highest of all practical goods? Well - there is a pretty general agreement.'It is happiness' say both and ordinary and cultured people." - Aristotle (1905a17)
Happiness is the thing we all aim towards - based on empirical observation.
Foundation of Utilitarianism
"The function of man is an activity of the soul which follows or implies a rational principle" - Aristotle (1098a8)
The good life (eudaimonia) of a human is... "An activity of the soul in accordance with virtue (or if more than one kind of virtue, in accordance with the highest kind of virtue)". - Aristotle (1098a15)
For human beings the highest kind of virtue is wisdom.
Chief function of humans = Ability to reason
Book Two: Virtues and Vices
"The virtues we acquire by first exercising them, just as happens in the arts... people become builders by building and instrumentalists by playing instruments. Similarly we become just by performing just acts... brave by performing brave acts." - Aristotle (1103a33)
We are what we repeatedly do.
You are not born virtuous.
"Temperance and courage are destroyed by excess and deficiency and are preserved by the mean." -Aristotle (1104a21)
First indication of the doctrine of the mean.
A virtue is the mean between excess and deficiency.
Courage is the virtue between recklessness and cowardice.
"Virtue, then, is a state of character concerned with choice, lying in a mean" - Aristotle (1106b36)
It has to be a conscious choice to be virtuous.
Book Three: Moral Responsibility
Voluntary actions (virtues and vices)
Involuntary actions (compulsion)
Non-voluntary actions (ignorance)
Book Six: Practical Wisdom
Aristotle's concept of phronesis (practical wisdom) guides ethical actions. Phronesis is finding the right means to virtuous ends
Being able to deal with things appropriately -e.g. political debate
Book Seven: Pleasure and Eudaimonia
Aristotle distinguishes between true pleasures which align with virtuous living, and base pleasures, which can distract from eudaimonia.
Book Ten: Theoretic Wisdom - Sophia
Contemplation is the highest good for humans. It is good for its own sake and is most important for eudaimonia.
Chief good
Issues
No clear guidance on how to act - no indication of what to do in specific circumstances.
Clashing / competing virtues
Kindness vs Honesty - Being honest could cause harm.
Reply: Could use practical wisdom to figure out what to do.
Circularity - Zagzebski
Virtuous people > are defined by their > virtuous actions > which are exemplified by > Virtuous people
Virtues are defined in terms of people and people are defined in terms of virtue.
Some virtues do not contribute to eudaimonia - not directly to your happiness. e.g. being kind to others
Selfless acts may make you virtuous but is it good for your happiness?
It ultimately should do if you are doing it right.
Good for one does not equivalate to good for all - Russel
"There is in Aristotle an almost complete absence of what may be called benevolence or philanthropy. The sufferings of mankind do not move him emotionally" - B. Russel
Aristotle’s ethical framework lacks a universal, burning concern or emotional distress for the general suffering of humanity.
Aristotle's theory is a bottom up approach, meaning the virtuous individual contributes to wider society but there are no overruling rules to follow.
Wouldn't be virtuous if it wasn't everyone working together via working on themselves.