RST3A: JUNE 2013 An Application of Classical Virtue Theory to the ethical issue of Abortion

Objectives To state the structure necessary for an A01 essay on VE applied to abortion Apply Virtue Ethics to abortion (generally) Apply Virtue Ethics to specific scenarios

Exam Focus June Explain one version of Virtue Ethics, and apply this to any ethical issue, apart from issues in science and technology. 4. With reference to the chosen ethical issue, assess the strengths and weakness of Virtue Ethics as an ethical system.

Examiner’s Report A few candidates chose an ethical issue which was an issue in science and technology. Generally good explanation of Virtue Ethics. However, fewer were able to apply it to an ethical issue well Centres would be advised to concentrate on the very liberal/poor interpretations of some of the intellectual and moral virtues of Aristotle. Some candidates opted for explaining how Virtue Ethics could not be applied to their chosen ethical issue

Structure for the Application 1. V: Vocab 2. D: Development 3. V: Virtues 4. E: Examples Visualise Demons Vicious and Evil!

What type of theory is Virtue Ethics? Discuss in pairs

What type of theory is Virtue Ethics? Normative Relative Person-centred Teleological

1. Vocab Normative: Its purpose is to guide moral behaviour/resolve dilemmas Relative: ‘The Golden Mean’ is not a matter of mathematical exactitude; “it is not possible to determine a virtue by placing it half-way between the two vices – it will be different in different situations”. When it comes to abortion there is no absolute! It will depend on the mother and her individual situation Points to the flexibility of virtue theory

1. Vocab Person-centred It does not ask what should I do? It asks what sort of person should I be? Do not forget that the Golden Mean cannot be applied to actions – ‘abortion’, for example – cannot have a mean, and it is ridiculous to look for one.

1. Vocab Teleological: telos (end, goal or purpose) There is a teleological aspect in virtue ethics, but it differs from the kind usually found in Utilitarianism, which asks what sort of action will maximise happiness or utility. The aretaic concept of teleology focuses, rather, on the goal of life: living well and achieving excellence’.

2. Development Virtue Ethics is holistic not atomistic Different approach to traditional normative ethical theories Pleasure machines Duty followers Divine Commands Immensely complicated beings with emotions, desires, thoughts and social relationships living as best they can

2. Development Virtues = forward looking/teleological. Virtues are the means to eudaimonia Natural then - It’s the foetus’ emotional significance to its mother, along with its potential as a flourishing human being which is the focus of attention NOT whether or not the foetus is a person Stance is supported by Judith Jarvis Thompson’s violinist example

The Violinist: In A Defense of Abortion You wake up in the morning and find yourself back in bed with an unconscious violinist. A famous unconscious violinist. He has been found to have a fatal kidney ailment, and the Society of Music Lovers has canvassed all the available medical records and found that you alone have the right blood type to help. They have therefore kidnapped you, and last night the violinist's circulatory system was plugged into yours, so that your kidneys can be used to extract poisons from his blood as well as your own. If he is unplugged from you now, he will die but in nine months he will have recovered from his ailment, and can safely be unplugged from you.

Link … In cases of rape or contraceptive failure - abortion is permissible for the same reason cited by Thompson in the case of the violinist Even if the foetus is classed as a person, … according to the Virtue Theorist the foetus has a right to life BUT It does not give the foetus the right to use the woman’s body against her will, so she may “unplug” it

3. Virtues 2 Questions: Can the abortion be performed virtuously – that is, as a result of one or more of the virtues? Can it be done so as to enhance eudaimonia or a flourishing life for the agent (the mother’s eudaimonia incorporating, rather than overriding, that of the foetus)? If the answer to both is yes then abortion is morally good; otherwise it is bad

TASK: With your partner, call to mind virtues (moral and intellectual) that may be relevant to the application of VE the issue of abortion

Vice of deficiencyGolden MeanVice of excess Cowardice CourageRashness Excessive FrugalityTemperanceIntemperance Intolerant (Inflexible)LiberalityAnarchic MeannessGenerosityProdigality (wasteful) Humble-mindednessWisdomArrogance Lack of ambitionRight-ambitionOver-ambition SpiritlessnessGood TemperIrascibility SurlinessFriendliness/civilityObsequiousness InsincereSincerityBoastfulness Boorishness (Sarcasm)WittinessBuffoonery ShamelessnessModestyBashfulness Unjust (Discriminatory)JustUnjustified partiality

3. Virtues The obvious virtues that are relevant to the discussion 1. Courage 2. Generosity 3. Justice 4. Wisdom

4. Examples 1. Rape or Contraceptive Failure 2. Severe Foetal abnormality 3. The mother’s well being 4. Ectopic Pregnancy 5. A cruise

Rape or Contraceptive Failure Since a woman’s eudaimonia would be more enhanced via a wisely chosen voluntary and planned pregnancy, Virtue Theory in the vast majority of cases would be likely to recommend an abortion as the virtuous thing to do.

Cases of severe foetal abnormality Will generally lead to abortion based on the virtues of compassion for the child and the wisdom to see the poor quality of life would not result in eudaimonia In cases of mild foetal abnormality where mothers choose not to have an abortion, the virtues of courage, patience, loyalty, dedication and so on are displayed. The foetus is able to realise its potential In this instance the abortion would be bad

The mother’s well being The poorer the mother’s condition (social, mental physical) and social conditions = the less chance for a eudaimonic life for mother & baby A wise and compassionate mother may decide to abort the foetus Here the virtuous mean will shift relative to the situation

A Cruise If a woman wanted to abort a foetus, previously wanted and planned because the opportunity of going on a 2 week Caribbean cruise came up, the Virtue Theorist would condemn it. She would be deemed to be callous and selfish, and hence vicious. She is concerned only with a 2 week period in her life and not its overall flourishing (for herself or her baby)

Remember – V, D, V, E! Any questions?