Virtue Ethics Aristotle

Rule-Based Ethics Most of traditional Western ethics is based on the assumption that ethical beliefs are best represented by a set of rules or abstract principles (e.g., Greatest Happiness Principle or Categorical Imperative). Moral decisions thus typically involve bringing a case under a rule, in much the same way that law courts apply statutory laws to cases brought before them.

Non-Rule Based In recent decades, some ethical theorists have turned away from the principle- governed, legalistic approach to ethics in favor of another approach from the Western tradition. But you might want to ask yourself whether the content of these theories cannot be reduced to principles.

Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is ethics based on character. Its fundamental idea is that a person who has acquired the proper set of dispositions will do what is right when faced with a situation involving a moral choice. Thus, virtue ethics doesn’t involve invoking principles or rules to guide actions.

Virtue Ethics The virtuous person is both the basic concept and the goal of virtue ethics. The virtuous person is one who acts right, because she or he is just that sort of person. Right actions flow out of character, and the virtuous person has a disposition to do the right thing. Rules need not be consulted, calculations need not be performed abstract duties need not be considered.

Virtue Ethics When a Christian asks, “What would Jesus do?” it is not typically an attempt to call on divine guidance. Rather, it is an occasion for reflection, of attempting to imagine what someone trying to live a life like Jesus' would do.

Two Kinds of Virtues Moral Virtues: benevolence, compassion, honesty, charity, sincerity, sympathy, respect, consideration, kindness, thoughtfulness, loyalty, fairness, etc. Practical Virtues: rationality (or intelligence), tenacity, capability, patience, prudence, skillfulness, staunchness, shrewdness, proficiency, etc.

Virtue Ethics in the Medical Context Consider an emergency room trauma surgeon who is technically skilled, but lacks compassion for his patients and is not interested in their worries or fears. He shows no tact in dealing with patients and barely acknowledges they are people.

Virtue Ethics in the Medical Context Virtue ethics calls attention to the strength of medicine at its moral and practical best. Courage, loyalty, integrity, compassion, and benevolence are virtues associated with physicians and others who provide what we consider the right sort of care for their patients.

Difficulties with Virtue Ethics A fundamental difficulty with virtue ethics is that it provides us with no explicit guidance in deciding how to act in particular circumstances. Example: Suppose someone is terminally ill, in great pain, and asks assistance in dying. Should we agree to help?

Difficulties with Virtue Ethics Medicine is repeatedly faced with the problem of deciding about what actions ought to be taken, but virtue ethics is about character and dispositions. How can it help us make decisions? Also how do disputes get settled?