virtue theoryppg

7/29/2019 Virtue Theoryppg

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PLATO & ARISTOTLE

ON VIRTUETHEORY


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A Theory or a Practice?

Theories such as Utilitarianism andKantianism address the question Howshould I act?

- Consider the nature of acts, or the nature ofoutcomes

But, Virtue Theory asks How should I live mylife?, What kind of person should I be?

and How do I get there? Not so much a guide for moral decision-

making, more of a description of the morallife: a life which cultivates virtue.


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Happiness as the greatest

human good But what happiness (or a well-lived

life) consists of?

Some say it consists in a life of

pleasure (view of the masses)

Some say it is the life of honour (view

of statesmen)

Some say it consists in virtue (view ofthe wise)


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Platos view of Humans

Reason

Will

Appetite

Reason should dominate will and

appetite = Perfect state/Happiness

achieved


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Why? What is our function?

Human functions to exercise onesvital faculties in accord with reason. It

is to act and live well and beautifully,

as an excellent, exemplary human.This means it is to act virtuously.

We develop character virtues when

will and appetite listen to reason


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Judging Character

The theory suggests that we are judgedby our character, not specific actions.

An individual who has developedexcellent character traits (virtues) is

judged as a morally good person.An individual who has developed poor

character traits (vices) is judged as amorally bad person.

But most of us have a mixture or virtuesand vices. So we need to take a holisticapproach to virtue (intellectual virtue).


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Two kinds of virtue

Intellectual virtue: consists indeveloping intellectual abilities

(including the ability to judge how a

virtuous person should acti.e.,phronesis, or practical wisdom).

Character virtue: moral excellencies

habits of character cultivated in thosewho live excellently


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Phronesis or practical wisdomPhronesis moderates between the emotions/will,

appetites, and rational mind.- acquired over time.- exercising of a mature will which enables a person

to act with wisdom and discernment.- the executive , deciding when to act upon emotions

through a balanced appetite.

It is easy to become angry, anyone can do that;but to be angry with the right person, to the right

extent, at the right time, in the right way, with theright aim; that is not easy.

The function of practical reason is to developexcellence or virtue. Or: The aim of phronesis is to

develop arete.


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Character Virtue

Virtue forms your character; simply a positivecharacter trait.

The development of character virtue is not natural.They must be acquired by training. Just as webecome pianists by playing piano, we become just

by acting justly, courageous by actingcourageously, etc.

Through the development of practical reason,excellence becomes a habit, and you achieve

human flourishing. Or: through phronesis, aretaicpersonal qualities are cultivated, and eudaimonia(good life or human fluorishing/happiness) occurs.

Virtue is, quite literally, habit-forming, for Aristotle.It lies in doing , as much as in knowing.


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Aristotle: The Golden Mean or

How is excellence to be

cultivated? Moral man = man of virtue. Virtue is NOT the opposite of vice.

Virtue is the mean between two

extremes a middle way. For eg., anexcellent appetite is the mean

between greed and crazed dieting

Finding this middle way is the key toleading a moral life or being in

balance.


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The Golden Mean

The Golden Mean does not denyemotions.

Following the Golden Mean in any

situation depends on letting practicalwisdom, or phronesis, be the executive (in

charge), deciding which emotions to put

into practice through a balanced appetite

so producing eudaimonia: human

flourishing.

Eg.: The truly courageous person avoids

both excess (rashness) and deficiency


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Moral Education & Virtue

Theory How do we become virtuous? We acquire a skill by practising the

activities involved in the skill.

We become brave through acts ofbravery

Becoming virtuous is a developmentalprocess, it requires moral education.

The end purpose of man, claimsAristotle, is rational thought and hishighest good is to be found in

intellectual virtue


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Moral Education & Virtue

Theory So virtue is acquired by doing, not

theorising

Phronesis is acquired through

experience, through repetition andpractice. Hence, it takes a long whileto develop.

For the Virtue Theorist becoming

virtuous is a developmental process:need moral education

So What kind of Moral Education is

NEEDED??


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Strengths of Virtue Theory

It encourages one to be more virtuousinstead of using ethical theories to

make decisions for us.

It stresses character- after allsomeone who helps the poor out of

compassion does seem morally

superior to someone who does it outof duty!


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Criticisms vs. and Weaknesses of

Virtue Theory Offers no solution to specific moral

dilemmas

Not everyone has the equal

opportunity to develop morally do wejudge them the same?

Virtue ethics seems to praise somevirtues that we might see as immoral

e.g. US Soldiers fighting in Iraq (unjustwars) may be courageous but thatdoes not make them morally good.


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Criticisms vs. and Weaknesses

of Virtue Theory Difficult to decide who is virtuous on the

outside since s/he may not necessarilyhave good motives.

No room for basic concepts such as

rights and obligations Does not always have a view about what

makes an act right or wrong. How do we decide which virtues are to

be cultivated the most? Why should we prefer certain ideals to

others?


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Criticisms vs. and Weaknesses

of Virtue TheoryAristotles Golden Mean does not easily

apply to all virtues.

Eg. Is it possible to take compassion toan extreme, where it becomes a vice?

No guidance in situations where Virtuesconflict and when rules are needed toguide actions.

Seen as a selfish theory, placing greateremphasis on personal development thanon the effect of our actions on others.

virtue theoryppg

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