Virtue Ethics Learning objectives To understand the principles
![Virtue Ethics Learning objectives To understand the principles of virtue ethics from Aristotle To Virtue Ethics Learning objectives To understand the principles of virtue ethics from Aristotle To](https://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-1.jpg)
Virtue Ethics Learning objectives To understand the principles of virtue ethics from Aristotle To understand the ‘agent-centred nature of virtue ethics To understand the virtuous means and vices
![Virtue Ethics Create a display explaining the following: • What is virtue ethics • Virtue Ethics Create a display explaining the following: • What is virtue ethics •](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-2.jpg)
Virtue Ethics Create a display explaining the following: • What is virtue ethics • Aristotle • Virtues • What the following mean: – Agent centred – Eudaimonia – Doctrine of the mean
![Starter • What did we learn eudaimonia to be in AS? • List the Starter • What did we learn eudaimonia to be in AS? • List the](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-3.jpg)
Starter • What did we learn eudaimonia to be in AS? • List the things you believe personally bring happiness.
![Keywords • Virtue – a positive characteristic that suggests moral excellence or goodness • Keywords • Virtue – a positive characteristic that suggests moral excellence or goodness •](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-4.jpg)
Keywords • Virtue – a positive characteristic that suggests moral excellence or goodness • Eudaimonia – a contented state of being happy, healthy and prosperous • Agent-centred - ethical approaches that are focused on the development of the person rather than on the morality of what they are doing • Doctrine of the mean – the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency
![Aristotle in Nichomachean Ethics states that the Human end or telos is to achieve Aristotle in Nichomachean Ethics states that the Human end or telos is to achieve](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-5.jpg)
Aristotle in Nichomachean Ethics states that the Human end or telos is to achieve Eudaimonia or happiness
![Eudaimonia is the result of acting in a clear minded way, rather than being Eudaimonia is the result of acting in a clear minded way, rather than being](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-6.jpg)
Eudaimonia is the result of acting in a clear minded way, rather than being at the mercy of our various emotions and desires.
![Eudaimonia is achieved by having self discipline and control over ones life Eudaimonia is achieved by having self discipline and control over ones life](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-7.jpg)
Eudaimonia is achieved by having self discipline and control over ones life
![Not by associating happiness with pleasure seeking Not by associating happiness with pleasure seeking](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-8.jpg)
Not by associating happiness with pleasure seeking
![Indulgence leads to unhappiness Indulgence leads to unhappiness](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-9.jpg)
Indulgence leads to unhappiness
![In order to flourish humans need to ‘live the best life someone can’ Alisdair In order to flourish humans need to ‘live the best life someone can’ Alisdair](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-10.jpg)
In order to flourish humans need to ‘live the best life someone can’ Alisdair Mc. Intyre describes it as ‘the state of being well and doing well in being well’.
![Our virtues must work together like the finely tuned engine of a car Our virtues must work together like the finely tuned engine of a car](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-11.jpg)
Our virtues must work together like the finely tuned engine of a car
![Using your notes on p 164/5 to answer these questions • According to Aristotle Using your notes on p 164/5 to answer these questions • According to Aristotle](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-12.jpg)
Using your notes on p 164/5 to answer these questions • According to Aristotle what is the superior aim? • What are the four cardinal virtues? • How do we improve?
![Aristotle • Saw ‘happiness’ (eudaimonia) as something that was sought for itself rather than Aristotle • Saw ‘happiness’ (eudaimonia) as something that was sought for itself rather than](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-13.jpg)
Aristotle • Saw ‘happiness’ (eudaimonia) as something that was sought for itself rather than as a means to some other end. • For Aristotle, happiness requires an active & thoughtful engagement with life, it is not simply given. • Hence, the virtues are qualities that are to be cultivated, expressed through & reinforced by action. 13
![What are the virtues? • Depends very largely upon circumstances. • For example, courage What are the virtues? • Depends very largely upon circumstances. • For example, courage](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-14.jpg)
What are the virtues? • Depends very largely upon circumstances. • For example, courage would be a desirable & necessary virtue for a military person. • For a religious person, humility & obedience might be equally important. • Socially, one might consider the virtues of modesty, politeness & perhaps even good-humour. 14
![• Such qualities are called virtues because of the effect of exercising them. • Such qualities are called virtues because of the effect of exercising them.](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-15.jpg)
• Such qualities are called virtues because of the effect of exercising them. • Therefore, they may not provide their own intrinsic justification. • It could be argued, therefore, that they are ‘means to an end’ – namely the flourishing & welfare of society or of the individual. 15
![Plato, Aristotle and the ‘cardinal’ virtues. What are the 4 ‘cardinal’ virtues? • • Plato, Aristotle and the ‘cardinal’ virtues. What are the 4 ‘cardinal’ virtues? • •](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-16.jpg)
Plato, Aristotle and the ‘cardinal’ virtues. What are the 4 ‘cardinal’ virtues? • • Temperance (or moderation) Justice Courage Prudence (or wisdom) [now think of an acrostic that will ensure that you can remember them] 16
![Agent Centred • Virtue ethics is understood as agent centred because it focuses on Agent Centred • Virtue ethics is understood as agent centred because it focuses on](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-17.jpg)
Agent Centred • Virtue ethics is understood as agent centred because it focuses on the person performing the action rather than the actions that they perform • As we develop virtues we do morally correct actions, which will in the end benefit society
![Doctrine of the mean • Aristotle argued there are two vices that accompany every Doctrine of the mean • Aristotle argued there are two vices that accompany every](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/a067f3ca6885bccda59895ad990d4689/image-18.jpg)
Doctrine of the mean • Aristotle argued there are two vices that accompany every virtue: – Vice of deficiency is the distinct lack of virtues – Vice of excess is entirely too much of the virtue which leads to excess • At some point between the two vices exists the virtue, this is referred to as the doctrine of the mean (golden mean)
- Slides: 18