Virtue Approach TheoryKayla Schwindt & Liz Ericksen

April 9, 2009

Virtue Approach Summary The identity or character of a person Attitudes that produce highest

human potential Concentrate on the state of mind

which develops our character, strive to be better for my own sake

Virtue Characteristics

Honesty Courage Faithfulness

Trustworthiness Integrity Fairness

Self Control

Generosity

Faithful to obligation (fidelity)

Virtue Approach (cont)

Certain ideals we should strive for› To provide full development of humanity

Ideals are discovered through› Thoughtful reflection of what kind of

people we have the potential to become Attitudes that produce highest human

potential Strive to be a good person (not

w/rules)

In short, the Virtue Approach focuses on attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop our human potential

Alasdair MacIntyre’s Revolutionary

Aristotelianism: Ethics, Resistance and Utopia

June 2008Combines insights from Marx with those

of Aquinas and Aristotle.

ALASDAIR MACINTYRE › January 12, 1929 – Current

› Glasgow, Scotland

› “We can begin to work on the kinds of small communities that are capable of preserving the practices and virtues even in the face of liberal capitalism.” Whose Justice? Which Rationality? 99

VIRTUE ETHICS

MacIntyre has argued that Aquinas' combination of theories are more insightful than modern moral theories by focusing upon the telos ('end', or completion) of a social practice and of a human life

Five Questions for Virtue Approach

What benefits and what harms will each course of action produce, and which alternative will lead to the best overall consequences?

What moral rights do the affected parties have, and which course of action best respects those rights?

Which course of action treats everyone the same, except where there is a morally justifiable reason not to, and does not show favoritism or discrimination?

Which course of action advances the common good?

Which course of action develops moral virtues?

Thought Experiment Imagine that the natural sciences were

to suffer the effects of a catastrophe….› A series of environmental disasters [which]

are blamed by the general public on the scientists

The Virtue of Kindness Involves the right sort of emotions and

inner states with respect to our feelings towards others.

Virtue Approach Criticism’s Self Centered

› Morality is determined by our interaction with others

It’s Not Action-Guiding› Virtue ethics is based on an inexact system› Does not show efficient ways to behave

Different cultures and societies have such a huge variation on what virtue is› The way women are viewed

Virtue Criticism’s (Cont)

Useless as a universal norm of acceptable conduct suitable as a base for legislation› Does not focus on wrong actions

Virtues should be decided by the community

Virtues differ based on time and place Not possible to base judicial system on

virtues versus rules

Review Questions What is another way in which the Virtue

theory would cause clash between cultures?› Different cultures and societies have such a

huge variation on what virtue is The way women are viewed The way baby girls are viewed

Can you list 3 of the virtue characteristics?