Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is a

Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is a theory of morality in which virtue plays a central or independent role. The moral subject is the focus of moral reasoning. The morally good subject is the one who aims at becoming a certain sort of person. Virtues cannot be reduced to or explained by some other, more fundamental concept or rule.

Virtue Ethics SLOGANS Being rather than Doing “How should I live? ” not “What should I do? ” Agent-centered not Act-Centered

Virtue Ethics EXAMPLES What Would Jesus Do? Be Like Mike!

Aristotelian Virtue Ethics VIRTUE (ARETE) Virtue is an excellent habit or state of character that disposes one to find and choose the mean with respect to a given passion or action. Virtues are means or intermediates between two extremes (= vices). Moral decisions are motivated by the desire to be virtuous. The virtues are chosen for their own sake.

Aristotelian Virtue Ethics HAPPINESS (EUDAIMONIA) Happiness is the final purpose, the end goal, the chief good. Everything we do, we do for the sake of being happy. Happiness is an activity, not a state or feeling. “He is happy who is active in accordance with complete virtue, and is sufficiently equipped with external goods, not for some chance period but throughout a complete life” (I. 10. 1101 a 15).

Aristotelian Virtue Ethics PRACTICAL WISDOM (PHRONESIS) Practical wisdom is a virtue, and it is acquired with experience. Practical wisdom is not reducible to a set of rules; it is a matter of perception or “situational judgment. ” “Virtue makes the goal correct, and practical wisdom makes what leads to it correct” (VI. 12. 1144 a 10).

PASSION/ACTION EXCESS DEFECT MEAN Fear Cowardly Rash Courageous Pleasure Self-indulgent Insensible Temperate Giving Money Prodigal Stingy Generous Pride Vain Humble Proud Anger Short-tempered Submissive Even-tempered Friendliness Flattering Contentious Friendly Truth Boastful Ironic Truthful Humor Buffoon Boring Witty