also known as Virtue Ethics Virtue Theory also known as Virtue Ethics

What is it? An ethical system based on personal qualities Other ethical systems are based on rules or principles This sees a shift to the quality, correct manner or disposition of a human being Aristotle uses the word hexis to describe a person’s behaviour

Virtue Theory or Virtue Ethics So how does it compare? Virtue Theory or Virtue Ethics Other Ethical systems Right and wrong is a matter of personal character and qualities that an individual exhibits Concerned with how we can develop the correct character (ethos) so that we behave virtuously and therefore in a way that is morally correct Right and wrong is a matter of rules and principles guide our actions Concerned with how we apply those rules so that we can behave in a way that is morally correct

Next three lessons Aristotle’s moral virtues Jesus’ teachings on virtues Challenges to virtue theory

Aristotle’s moral virtues Learning Objectives To know what a virtue is To understand how Aristotle uses virtues to explain our concept of morality

To begin with: a key word Eudaimonia A Greek word which is key to understanding virtue theory Aristotle: ‘happiness’ or ‘well-being’ in the sense of being successful or fulfilled Not a virtue but an activity of the virtuous person You could talk about the pursuit of eudaimonia The end product: the outcome of being virtuous

The goal of virtue theory To create the good life, to be happy and fulfilled through cultivating virtues (arete) Sometimes known as aretaic ethics Eudaimonia is integral to every virtuous thing we do in life ‘Happiness is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue’ – Roger Scruton ‘being’ not ‘doing’

Happiness means the general condition of fulfilment or ‘success’ Happiness means the general condition of fulfilment or ‘success’. It is absurd to ask why we should pursue it, since success or fulfilment is what every activity intends. Roger Scruton

Where does it come from? Virtue theory is grounded in Aristotle’s book Nicomachean Ethics Origins lie in Aristotle’s view of the universe, the four causes and the idea of teleology (an ultimate goal)

Eudaimonia, then, incorporates: Well-being A physical good life Goodwill to all Peace Virtue Theory = A holistic philosophy It has a social context and the end result of enabling people to live together

Three aspects to happiness A life of enjoyment A life with freedom A life of reflection and contemplation (being a philosopher) Most important virtue is wisdom This is the characteristic of a person who can maintain all three Not easily gained and good life is not quickly achieved

Moral and intellectual virtues Since happiness is an activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue, we must consider the nature of virtue; for perhaps we shall thus see better the nature of happiness. Arete – not just ‘virtue’ but also moral, intellectual, and physical excellence. Virtue is therefore the idea of how we are meant to be Being ‘fit for purpose’ According to Aristotle: two kinds of virtue Moral – acquired by habit and developed by practice Intellectual – developed through education

Moral and intellectual virtues Virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual in the main, owes both its birth and its growth to teaching (for which reason it requires experience and time), while moral virtue comes about as a result of habit, whence also its name (ethike) is one formed by a slight variation from the word ethos (habit).

None of these virtues are easily learned Cultivated carefully Moral Virtues Courage Patience Temperance Truthfulness Liberality Wittiness Generosity (munificence or magnificence) Friendliness Pride (high-mindedness, concerned with honour) Modesty Right or proper ambition Righteous indignation None of these virtues are easily learned Cultivated carefully Aristotle compare their development to a sketch that develops into a picture Intellectual Virtues Intelligence or insight? Scientific knowledge by demonstration and conclusion Wisdom Artistic endeavour through the guidance of reason Pride (high-mindedness, concerned with honour) Prudence, i.e. understanding of good, or common sense to make right choice

Justice Aristotle devotes a chapter of his book to the virtue of ‘justice’ Whilst it is a virtuous state it is more a collective outcome of virtuous behaviour Justice in this sense, then, is not part of virtue, but virtue entire, nor is the contrary injustice part of a vice but vice entire.

Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean Cultivating virtues was the balance the two extremes of excess and deficiency Each extreme brought with it an associated vice Balancing the virtues and achieving the mean is no easy feet. Hence it is no easy task to be good. For in everything it is no easy task to find the middle

Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean Doctrine of the mean produces three different types of person The sophron who naturally lives in the mean without effort The enkrates who is tempted but has strong enough will power to live in the mean The akrates who is weak-willed and cannot live in the mean by overcoming temptation of the vices. Such a character, according to Aristotle, is said to be incontinent (akrasia)

Excess associated vice Deficiency associated vice Mean (virtue) Deficiency associated vice Rashness Courage Cowardice Licentiousness Temperance Insensibility Prodigality Liberality Illiberality Vulgarity Generosity Pettiness Vanity Pride/High-mindedness Lack of ambition Boastfulness Truthfulness Understatement Irascibility Patience Lack of spirit Buffoonery Wittiness Boorishness Obsequiousness Friendliness Cantankerousness Shyness/Bashfulness Modesty Shamelessness Envy/spitefulness Righteous indignation Malicious enjoyment/callousness You don’t need to know all of these but try to become familiar with a few to use as examples in an answer

Aristotle’s key virtues Temperance (moderation) Courage Justice Wisdom These are the most important ones to develop Wisdom is the one that manages and drives them all producing a morally virtuous, or ‘just’ outcome

The best example of living a virtuous life? Being a philosopher! One who pursues the ‘loving’ (philos) and ‘wise’ (Sophos) ‘Wisdom, thoroughly learned, will never be forgotten’ (Pythagoras) ‘It is better to be silent than to dispute with the ignorant’ (Pythagoras)

So, how do we decide right from wrong? A moral action is one that contributes to your journey to being a virtuous person An immoral action is one that deters you from becoming virtuous Remember that moral virtues are developed through time and experience

Tasks The text book has a number of ‘quick-fire’ questions in this section. Answer questions 1.7 – 1.12 Some of the words used in the virtues table are old-fashioned and might not mean anything to you. On the handout go through and find more modern words to help you understand what the virtue (or vice) is. Do as many as you can.