Virtue Ethics

Where did it start?

• Aristotle is said to be the original founder
• He had a teleological view about everything in the universe, and thought that everything was struggling for self-realization.
• Most people may not think this way today, but the majority believe that human behavior is still motivated by purposes and intentions.

Not Just One Type

• Aristotle believes there are two types of Virtue.
• Intellectual and Moral.
• The differences come from what type of actions are performed and how they translate into daily life.

Intellectual Virtue

• Aristotle believes this type of virtue comes from how good your natural brain abilities are.
• When you have a "good brain" you have intellectual virtue by using your brain to its fullest potential.
• You must use your intellectual ability to better your educational studies.

Moral Virtue

• Based on the development of good habits.
• These good habits and actions make "states of character."
• States of character are dispositions that are an example of the certain ways in which you act.
• According to Aristotle these states of character are virtuous only if they correspond with the "golden mean of moderation."

Golden Mean of Moderation

• A mean is the position in the middle of two extremes. The two extremes are deficiency and excess.
• This makes the mean, a virtue.
• This is not a scientific calculation though, these decisions on position are made through trial and error.

What does virtue ethics object to?

• Kantian ethics has a strong differences when compared to virtue ethics.
• The main difference being that a kantian acts only out of duty without any feeling and emotion.
• According to virtue ethics this would make one a hollow individual

Cont.

• Consequentialism is another theory that virtue ethics objects to.
• Consequentialism is based on consequences. And from the modern day virtue ethics philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe, it is impossible to know all the consequences of an act.
• Therefore it is an empty theory because it cannot support any act unless it is very simple and uncontroversial.

Why Virtue Ethics?

• Even though there is criticism against virtue ethics it is my personal opinion that it has a very sound base and reasoning for its principles.
• It is true though that you should not come to a quick assumption concerning ethical theories until you fully examine its pros and cons, and what its foundation is based on.