Virtue ethics teaches:
- An action is only right if it is an action that a virtuous person would carry out in the same circumstances.
- A virtuous person is a person who acts virtuously
- A person acts virtuously if they "possess and live the virtues"
- A virtue is a moral characteristic that a person needs to live well.
What are some examples of virtue ethics?
Virtues List
- Acceptance
- Assertiveness
- Authenticity
- Beauty
- Caring
- Cleanliness
- Commitment
- Compassion
- Confidence
- Consideration
What is the ethical theory of virtue ethics?
Virtue Ethics (or Virtue Theory) is an approach to Ethics that emphasizes an individual's character as the key element of ethical thinking, rather than rules about the acts themselves (Deontology) or their consequences (Consequentialism).
What is the difference between ethics and virtue?
is that ethics is (philosophy) the study of principles relating to right and wrong conduct while virtue is (obsolete) the inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being. Other Comparisons: What's the difference? (philosophy) The study of principles relating to right and wrong conduct. Morality.
What are some problems with virtue ethics?
Weaknesses of Virtue Ethics
- Without Focus. Critics of virtue ethics say that this theory lacks focus when it comes to determining the types of actions that are morally acceptable and permitted from the ...
- Nature of Virtues. Another weakness attributed to virtue ethics is the difficulty in determining the nature if virtues.
- Self-centeredness. ...
- Misguidance. ...
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What is virtue ethics?
Virtue Ethics. Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by Aristotle and other ancient Greeks. It is the quest to understand and live a life of moral character. This character-based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through practice. By practicing being honest, brave, just, generous, and so on, ...
Who developed Virtue Ethics?
Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by Aristotle and other ancient Greeks. It is the quest to understand and live a life of moral character.
How do virtues work?
It is often pointed out that virtues (and vices) are habits, and that habits are acquired by repetition : each time you tell the truth in a difficult situation, it makes it slightly easier to do so the next time. Over time, through repetition , we acquire the habit of truth-telling. This gives special significance to individual actions. The problem with telling a lie is not (as a utilitarian would say) the damage that it does, nor (as a Kantian would say) the fact that lying amounts to disrespecting someone, but rather that in telling a lie we are likely acting in a way that we do not think is worthy of imitation, and we are contributing to the process building ourselves into liars.
What is the ethical framework of ethics?
Ethical Theory: Virtue Theory. Virtue Theory is an ethical framework that says that we ought to focus not on what rules to follow, but on what kinds of people (or organizations) we should be, and what kinds of ethical exemplars we ought to imitate. In asking about the ethics of a particular behaviour, a virtue theorist (or “virtue ethicist”) ...
How to figure out what kind of people we ought to be?
One is to ask what characteristics a person needs to have in order to flourish—that is, to thrive and live a good life as part of a healthy community. The other is to think of examples: when you picture a good person, what kind of person do you picture? This might involve thinking about a real person in your own life whom you admire (a favourite teacher or mentor perhaps), or thinking about what an imaginary ideal person would be like. Virtue theory suggests that once you can imagine what a good person is like, you should behave in any situation as you think such a person would behave.
What is virtue theory?
Virtue theory suggests that once you can imagine what a good person is like, you should behave in any situation as you think such a person would behave. The term “virtue” is not exclusively a technical term, but it is also not used much in everyday language.
Why is Virtue Theory important?
Virtue theory is especially relevant to business in that modern businesses put significant emphasis on mentorship and on leadership. It is relatively easy for senior business leaders to see that the significance of setting a good example for their followers.
Who is the founder of virtue theory?
Virtue theory has its historical roots in the work of the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who argued that each virtue is a mean or “middle-point” between two vices, one of defect and one of excess.
What is virtue ethics?
Virtue ethics, Approach to ethics that takes the notion of virtue (often conceived as excellence) as fundamental. Virtue ethics is primarily concerned with traits of character that are essential to human flourishing, not with the enumeration of duties.
What is moral philosophy?
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ... Virtue ethics, Approach to ethics that takes the notion of virtue (often conceived as excellence) as fundamental.
What is virtue ethics?
Virtue ethics suggests treating our character as a lifelong project, one that has the capacity to truly change who we are. The goal is not to form virtues that mean we act ethically without thinking, but to form virtues that help us see the world clearly and make better judgments as a result.
What does Aristotle say about virtue ethics?
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”. Though he didn’t actually say this, it’s a good indication of what virtue ethics stands for.
How are virtues and vices acquired?
Excellence as habit. Aristotle explained that both virtues and vices are acquired by repetition. If we routinely overindulge a sweet tooth, we develop a vice, – gluttony. If we repeatedly allow others to serve themselves dinner before us, we develop a virtue – selflessness.
What is the oldest ethical theory?
Virtue ethics is arguably the oldest ethical theory in the world, with origins in Ancient Greece. It defines good actions as ones that display virtuous character, like courage, loyalty, or wisdom. Bad actions display the opposite, such as cowardice, treachery, and ignorance.
Why was ethics important to Aristotle?
For Aristotle, ethics was a key element of human flourishing because it taught people how to differentiate between virtues and vices. By encouraging examination, more people could live a life dedicated to developing virtues. But it’s one thing to know what’s right – it’s another to actually do it.
What is the virtuous response?
These two extremes are vices – the first response is malicious, the second is dishonest. The virtuous response is the mean between these two. In this case, that would be gently but honestly telling your friend you think they’d look nicer in another outfit.
What is ethics centre?
The Ethics Centre is a not-for-profit organisation developing innovative programs, services and experiences, designed to bring ethics to the centre of professional and personal life.
What are the three virtues?
Virtue ethics relies on virtues (i.e., qualities that are considered morally good) to make good, ethical decisions. In order to understand virtue ethics, let's compare it to some other approaches to ethical decision-making. There are three major approaches to ethics: 1 Rules (deontology) 2 Consequences (consequentialism) 3 Moral character (virtue)
What is the downfall of virtue ethics?
The downfall of using virtue ethics is that it can change from society to society (or even individual to individual) based on what is held as morally right. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Create your account.
How would you determine what your virtues are?
How would you determine what your virtues are? What are the virtues of society around you? A eudaemonist view would determine virtue to be something that brings you happiness or helps you to flourish. But this must be a happiness and flourishing that isn't based upon physical pleasure or luxury. The agent-based or exemplarist view would base virtue upon what drives you, or what motivates you. Another method to determine virtues is a target-centered view. Using this view virtues are things that allow you (or society) to receive a checkmark of approval.
What is the method philosophers use to determine what is ethical?
One method that philosophers have used to try to determine what is ethical is called virtue ethics (sometimes called moral ethics). Virtue ethics relies on virtues (i.e., qualities that are considered morally good) to make good, ethical decisions.
How can we look at virtue?
There are several different ways that we can look at virtue. Virtue can be dependent upon what society and individuals determine is morally good. This can differ from one society to another. Furthermore, an individual can deem something to be morally good while the society may not.
What is the deontology view of harassment?
Let's look at the harassing example. If you were to take a deontology view to this problem, you would focus on the rules as the proper course of action to take. This can be the rules of your workplace. Are you supposed to report all harassment to HR? In this case, deontology will dictate that the ethical decision would be to report this harassment to HR.
Who was the first philosopher to explain virtue?
Aristotle, Greek philosopher and one of the earliest philosophers to examine virtue ethics, explained that virtue is ''the mean'' (or the average) of two extremes. On one end of the extremes, we have a deficiency of the trait, while the other end is an excess of the trait. As an example, we can look at courage as a virtue.
What is virtue ethics?
Virtue ethics is a moral theory that emphasizes the role of an individual's character and virtues in evaluating the rightness of actions. It is one of three major moral theories. It is often contrasted with deontology, which emphasizes following moral rules, and consequentialism, which determines the permissibility of an action from its consequences. Virtue ethics offers an account of right and wrong based on what a 'virtuous agent' would do. It believes that an action is right if and only if it is what a virtuous agent would perform in the circumstances (Oakley, 1996, p. 129). The right thing to do is whatever the virtuous person would do. The virtuous agent is a person whose character traits are virtues and does not have any vices. Virtues are character traits that are positively valued in a person. They are generally said to encompass traits such as honesty, kindness, and generosity. Vices, on the other hand, are character traits that are negatively valued (Timmons, 2002, p. 270). This can include traits such as dishonesty, cruelty, and selfishness. The virtuous person is an ideal to emulate. As Simon Keller (2004) explains, "we should not, according to virtue ethics, seek merely to act like the virtuous agents ... we should seek to be virtuous agents" (p. 224). Excellence in virtues is acquired over time. Virtues are different from excellences of nature, such as musical pitch or good eyesight, with which people are born. Instead, the more people practice the virtues and attempt to act as the virtuous agent would, the more virtuous people will become.
Why does virtue ethics avoid moral schizophrenia?
Virtue ethics avoids moral schizophrenia because it allows for virtues that harmonize motives and reasons. Recall that virtue ethics believes virtues are a plurality of intrinsic good; there are various reasons why certain virtues are valuable.
Why are virtues classified as such?
Virtues will be classified as such because they are valuable in their own right. In this sense, virtue ethics believes the virtues are a plurality of intrinsic goods (Oakley, 1996, p. 139).
What are the advantages of virtue ethics?
The main advantage virtue ethics has over other moral theories is that it does not fall victim to 'moral schizophrenia' as it does not compromise one's motivations and reasons. First, the problem moral schizophrenia poses, which most moral theories face, must be understood. Michael Stocker (1976) identifies the problem, which he calls 'moral schizophrenia', in many modern moral theories such as consequentialism and deontology. Moral schizophrenia, he explains, causes a split between motives and reasons, so an indicator of a 'good life' is having harmony between motives and reasons (p. 454). If one wants to lead a good life one "should be moved by [one's] major values and [one] should value what [one's] major motives seek" (p. 454). A moral theory should support personal motives. However, the reasoning in many moral theories conflicts with personal motives. They require that people do "what is right, obligatory, [their] duty no matter what [their] motive for so acting" (p. 454).
What is the right thing to do?
The right thing to do is whatever the virtuous person would do. The virtuous agent is a person whose character traits are virtues and does not have any vices. Virtues are character traits that are positively valued in a person. They are generally said to encompass traits such as honesty, kindness, and generosity.
Why are virtues valuable?
The virtues are valuable in a way that cannot be reduced to a single, main value. They are valuable intrinsically rather than instrumentally. Virtue ethics differs in this way from other moral theories that tend to be monistic, meaning they believe all goods can be reduced into a single value.
What is wrong with self-effacing theories?
Keller identifies two things wrong with selfeffacing theories. First, they do not properly tell people what should motivate them, "so they fail to perform a function that an ethical theory should perform" (p. 222). Secondly, they do not allow for a "psychologically harmonious life" because they do not allow the agent to be motivated by what is important to them (p. 222). Keller asserts that "if the virtue ethicist is to avoid self-effacement then she must make the following claim: it is never undesirable for an agent to be moved to action by the thought that her act is in accordance with the virtues, or by the thought that she is acting as the fully virtuous person would" (p. 224-225). Virtue ethics would have to allow one's motivations to be acting like the virtuous person, not acting out of the good of a virtue. Keller says that virtue ethics cannot commit to such a statement. Continued on Next Page »
What is the ethical theory of virtue?
The ethical theory of virtue states that we can judge a person’s decisions based on his or her character and morality. The way someone lives his or her life can explain any ethical decision according to this theory. For example, a person who lies and cheats to get ahead in life probably makes decisions based on advancing his or her own interests according to the virtue theory.
What are the four ethical theories?
There are four major ethical theories: deontology (or duty), utilitarianism, rights, and virtue. Each one of these theories looks at our ethical behavior in different ways. Deontology. The theory of deontology states that when we have to make ethical decisions, our first thoughts are on our duties and obligations.
What is non consequential ethics?
Nonconsequential ethics is the other side of the coin to consequential ethics. It says that people base their decisions not on the result but on the values and beliefs that they hold deeply. In nonconsequential ethics , you’ll decide on a situation based on what you believe rather than what may happen. For example, you won’t lie in a situation if you believe that honesty is important.
Why is deontology considered ethics?
The theory of deontology falls under this type of ethics because people make decisions based on their duty to those around them. Likewise, the rights theory belongs in this category because the rights that society holds dear are important over any other factor. Virtue could also fit here because people of high moral character can decide based on their values.
What is the branch of philosophy that deals with morality and how it shapes behavior?
Follow Us: maia Pascual/Pixabay. Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with morality and how it shapes behavior. Different branches of the study of ethics look at where our views of morality come from and how they shape our everyday lives. There are four major ethical theories: deontology (or duty), utilitarianism, rights, and virtue.
What is the rights theory of ethics?
The rights theory of ethics says that people make decisions based on the rights that their society agrees to. What the majority of people in that society believes is important will drive decisions. For example, the rights we Americans have in our Constitution should be factors in our decision-making according to this theory.
Which theory of utilitarianism is the biggest factor?
The theory of utilitarianism falls into this category because the benefit of decisions is the biggest factor. The virtue theory can fit into consequential ethics because a person’s reputation can be based on the consequences of his or her decisions. Nonconsequential Ethics.
When did modern virtue ethics start?
Modern virtue ethics got its start when Elizabeth Anscombe wrote her article, “Modern Moral Philosophy” in 1958. In this article, Anscombe expressed dissatisfaction with the utilitarian and deontological ethical theories of her day. She suggested that the ethical theories of the Ancient Greeks, such as those of Plato and Aristotle, could be the most plausible and satisfactory ones, once they were more theoretically developed.
What are Aristotle's virtues?
Other qualities that Aristotle considers virtues, include truthfulness, magnanimity, modesty, and pride.
What are the three ethical systems?
There are three major categories of ethical systems that students typically learn about in philosophy classes: consequentialism, deontology and virtue ethics. I will describe all of them briefly, then describe each one of them in more detail, pointing out their defining features and major variants. I’ll then discuss the nature of Objectivist Ethical Egoism and how it compares and contrasts with each of these types of ethics.
What is the ethical theory of consequences?
The Ethical Theories: Brief Summary. Consequentialism names a type of ethical theory that judges human practices, like actions or rules, based on their consequences. Human practices that produce good consequences are morally right, while ones that produce bad consequences are morally wrong.
How are consequentialist theories divided?
The second major way consequentialist theories can be divided is by “whose consequences” count as morally relevant. That is, what beings are directly morally relevant in evaluating the consequences of a practice.
What is the meaning of immorality in Objectivism?
Immorality, for Objectivism, consists in choosing not to pursue objective, life-sustaining values in accordance with rational principles of action, (deliberately or by default) while still wishing to remain alive. The result of this course, according to Ayn Rand, is pain, fear, suffering, “living death,” and a loss of control over one’s life that risks premature, literal death.
Why should we avoid contradictions in our thinking?
One should avoid contradictions in one’s thinking, since holding contradictory beliefs is the violation of reason. Purpose is an aspect of reason, properly conceived. Holding it as a value emphasizes the need to treat reasoning as a means to goals, and not merely as an end in itself.
